Sahara dust and hot weather are effective at the same time in Portugal: Health warning from DGS

While Saharan dust carried from North Africa reduces air quality on the Portuguese mainland, IPMA has issued a yellow warning due to high temperatures in many regions. The General Directorate of Health wants especially children, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases to reduce their exposure to open air. Although Saharan dust and temperature increase coincided with the same period, current official data does not show that dust directly caused the temperature increase.

While the hot weather continues in Portugal, Saharan dust coming from North Africa also negatively affects the air quality. The General Directorate of Health (DGS) warned especially sensitive groups to be careful due to the increase in the amount of respirable particles in the air.

According to the statement published by DGS on September 3, the air mass coming from the North African deserts and carrying dust suspended in the air affects most of the Portuguese mainland. The impact is expected to be more pronounced, especially in the central and southern regions of the country.

Meteorological institution IPMA also reports that dust suspended in the air continues.

One of the most important consequences of dust transport is the decrease in air quality. DGS states that the concentration of naturally occurring respirable particles, especially PM10, is increasing.

PM10 refers to particles that are 10 micrometers or smaller in diameter and can enter the body through breathing.

Children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases should be more careful

According to DGS, the groups that may be most affected by the increase in particles in the air include children, the elderly, those with chronic respiratory diseases, especially asthma, and cardiovascular patients.

The health authority recommends that people in these groups stay indoors whenever possible and keep windows closed as long as Saharan dust persists.

There is also a call for precautions for the general population.

The DGS recommends avoiding prolonged physical exertion, limiting outdoor physical activity, and reducing exposure to additional risk factors such as tobacco smoke and irritants.

People with chronic diseases should continue their current treatments as recommended by their doctors.

If symptoms worsen, it is recommended to contact SNS 24's health line at 808 24 24 24 or seek medical help.

Does Saharan dust increase temperatures?

The arrival of Saharan dust in Portugal coincided with a period of high temperatures in the country.

According to the meteorological warnings updated by IPMA on the morning of September 4, many regions, including Lisbon, Setúbal, Santarém, Leiria, Coimbra, Castelo Branco, Évora, Beja and Faro, are under yellow warning due to high maximum temperatures.

However, the simultaneous occurrence of an increase in temperature and Saharan dust does not mean that the temperature is rising due to dust.

While the DGS statement focuses on the impact of Saharan dust on air quality and PM10 levels, IPMA considers the high temperature warning as a separate meteorological situation.

For this reason, it is not correct to establish a direct cause-effect relationship such as "Saharan dust increased temperatures in Portugal" based on current official information.

A more accurate statement is that Portugal is currently experiencing the effects of dust transported from North Africa in addition to high temperatures at the same time.

How can air quality be controlled?

Since Saharan dust may not be at the same density everywhere, it is possible to check the air quality in the region through current measurements.

DGS states that the air quality system of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the QualAr application can be used for air quality and the values ​​recorded at measurement stations.

This can be especially helpful for children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses before making outdoor plans.

5. PTNEWSHUB REVIEW

The fact that Saharan dust and the temperature increase in Portugal coincided on the same days may create the impression that there is a direct cause-effect relationship between the two events. However, current official statements are not sufficient to reach such a conclusion; At this stage, it is more accurate to consider hot weather and Sahara dust as two separate conditions that are effective in the same period.

6. PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

As long as Sahara dust is effective, DGS's recommendations are:

Limit prolonged and intense outdoor exercise.

Reduce exposure to tobacco smoke and other irritants.

Children, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases should stay indoors whenever possible.

For sensitive groups, it is recommended to keep windows closed.

Those with chronic diseases should continue their current treatment.

If symptoms worsen, call SNS 24: 808 24 24 24 or seek medical help.

The current air quality in your area can be checked via APA/QualAr.

7. SOURCES REVIEWED

Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS), 3 September 2026: Official health warning and public advisories regarding reduced air quality due to dust from North Africa.

Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), 4 September 2026: Current meteorological forecast for mainland Portugal; Airborne dust information.

IPMA, 4 September 2026: Current meteorological warnings on mainland Portugal due to high temperatures.