Spring in Portugal this year had lower temperatures and more rain than usual, classifying itself, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere, as «cold and extremely rainy». According to the Institute, this was the third wettest spring since 1931.
“The total amount of precipitation occurred in the months of March to May, 429 mm, corresponds to about 200% of the average value”, explains the IPMA.
The mean value of the average air temperature was 13.19°C, lower than normal at 0.41°C. According to the organization, «average air temperature values lower than this spring have occurred in about 30% of the years, since 1931», and this was the third coldest spring since 2000 (after 2016 and 2013).
The average values of the minimum and maximum air temperature were lower than normal, -0.35 °C and -0.46 °C respectively and correspond to the 3rd lowest value since 2000 (after 2016 and 2013).
Despite the high rainfall and lower-than-normal temperatures for the quarter, May was a “very dry and normal month in relation to air temperature”, according to IPMA.
The average amount of rainfall in May, 38.5 mm, corresponds to about 54% of the normal monthly value. «Values for the amount of precipitation lower than those now registered occurred in about 30% of the years».
The IPMA also highlights that «during the month, and in particular from the 24th, situations of instability occurred, especially in the interior regions, and in particular in the areas of Pinhão and Moimenta da Beira with the occurrence of locally strong showers, hail and accompanied by thunderstorm'.
The mean value of the average air temperature, 16.07°C, was close to normal (+0.34°C). The mean value of the maximum air temperature, 21.89 °C, was higher than normal at +0.93 °C. The mean value of the minimum temperature, 10.25 °C, was lower than normal at -0.25 °C. Minimum temperature values lower than those now registered occurred in about 30% of the years.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere also emphasizes that, in May, «there were significant variations in the daily air temperature (maximum and minimum) with the occurrence of cold and hot periods».
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