Weather warning as Saharan dust storm and 30C hits Portugal - and Met Office says 'have you noticed'

Severe weather reported in Europe with high temperatures and potential 'blood rain' followed by Storm Olivier

Travellers to the European country of Portugal have been told to prepare themselves for extreme weather with temperatures soaring to 30C followed by Saharan dust storms. Accoding to website Sicnoticias storm Olivier will hit soon afterwards bringing cold, rain, thunderstorms, and hail.

Some parts of Portugal will experience summer temperatures this Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures will rise throughout the country, in the middle of the week with thermometers will reaching almost 30ºC in many places. However for those who think summer is here, they will be disappointed soon afterwards.

And the Saharan dust could come to the UK too - the Met Office uploaded a satellite image of the dust clouds heading for the UK to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday. During these occurrences we tend to see hazy skies or even “blood rain”.

Blood rain is made from sand and dust, gathered from the Sahara. Vast dust clouds can be seen travelling through Ireland and Northern Ireland, towards the west country. Strong winds across the Sahara caused the dust particles to blow northwards to the UK. This temporary phenomenon is called Saharan dust, it is when dust travels over from North Africa.

The Met Office said yesterday: "Have you noticed skies becoming a little hazy towards the west? Strong winds across the Sahara have transported particles of dust northwards, which can be seen on satellite imagery from earlier this morning over the UK."

According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Tuesday and Wednesday will be the hottest days of this week. On Tuesday, thermometers will reach 27ºC in Braga, Viseu, Leiria and Santarém. In Porto, they should reach 26ºC, in Lisbon and Évora 25ºC and in Faro 24ºC. The coolest district will be Guarda, with a maximum of 19ºC and a minimum of 9ºC.For Wednesday, summer-worthy temperatures are forecasted. In Braga, Coimbra and Leiria, thermometers should reach 29ºC; in Viana do Castelo, Porto and Santarém, 28ºC; and in Aveiro and Setúbal, 27ºC. In Lisbon, the maximum temperature should be 25ºC and in Évora and Faro, 24ºC.

Showers are expected to continue in the autonomous regions, with temperatures ranging between a maximum of 21ºC and a minimum of 14ºC in Madeira and a maximum of 18ºC and a minimum of 12ºC in the Azores.

Heat is accompanied by a dust cloud. On Tuesday, a new wave of dust from North Africa is also expected. The atmospheric phenomenon will be noticeable in the sky, which will become more orange and will be felt, especially on Thursday and Friday.

Experts warn that various precautionary measures should be taken, especially if you have breathing problems. From Thursday, Portugal will be hit by a new storm. It’s called Olivier and was named by the Spanish Meteorology Institute (AEMET).

Olivier will bring lower temperatures, heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail, especially in the Centre and South of the country. The forecast is that the storm’s effects will remain until the end of the week, with rain intensifying on Friday and Saturday.

Meteorologists predict showers and cooler temperatures for the week before Easter. In Serra da Estrela, snowfall is even a strong possibility over the festive weekend.

Karen Spillett, deputy head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, has advised people with lung conditions to be cautious and stay indoors. She said: “If you have a lung condition, especially asthma, you might find that the fine dust particles from the Sahara cause irritation to your lungs.

“Fine particles in the air can leave you struggling for breath, and at increased risk of asthma attacks and flare-ups of other lung conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If the Saharan dust cloud does reach the UK, people with lung conditions should be extra cautious and stay indoors.

“Keep your windows and doors shut if possible and ensure you have your reliever inhaler with you to treat symptoms if you go out. If you have a lung condition, ensure you take your preventer medication every day as prescribed, follow your asthma action plan and know what to do if you have an asthma attack or flare-up.”