Along with 2017, 2019 and 2020, the month of March 2023 was, globally, the second hottest on record. The information was provided by Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).
“In Europe, the average mean air temperature was 0.86 °C above the 1991-2020 average. Warmer-than-average conditions were experienced in southern and central Europe, particularly in southwestern Russia; On the other hand, in most of Northern Europe, the conditions were colder than normal.”, can be read in a statement sent to the newsrooms.
As for rainfall on the European continent, “wetter than average conditions were found in a west-northeast fringe between Ireland, the United Kingdom and France to the west of Russia, as well as parts of Turkey.”
“On the other hand, there were drier-than-average conditions over most of the Iberian Peninsula, in some places in the Alps, in parts of Central Europe, in the eastern Balkans and on the northwest coast of the Caspian Sea. High temperatures and strong winds in Spain, which contributed to the occurrence of forest fires of unusual intensity and out of season”, indicates the IPMA.
In mainland Portugal, the month of March was “hot” and “dry”.
“In the month of March, the average value of the average air temperature [em Portugal continental], 13.12 °C, was above the normal value between 1971-2000, with an anomaly of +1.21 °C, being the 12th highest since 1931 (the highest in 1997, 15.97 °C). The average value of the maximum air temperature, 18.84 °C, was 1.84 °C higher than the normal value, making it the eleventh highest value since 1931 (highest in 1997, 23, 31°C). The average value of the minimum temperature, 7.40 °C, was 0.57 °C higher than the normal value”, explains the note.
In the first days of the month, “lower than normal” air temperature values were recorded, especially with regard to the minimum temperature. However, from March 5, an “increase in temperature” was observed. The IPMA highlights the periods from March 7 to 11 and from March 29 to 31 in terms of minimum temperature and the periods from March 15, 16 and 27 to 30 in terms of maximum air temperature.
“Regarding rainfall, the month of March was dry, with a total of 47.9 mm of precipitation, which corresponds to 78% of the normal value. During the month there were more significant precipitation values in the first half of the month and especially in the North Coast region and severe drought in the Center, on March 31, 48% of the territory was in meteorological drought”, emphasizes the IPMA.
Source: TSF
