2018-02-06 (IPMA)
January 2018 recorded an average value of the average air temperature of 9.04ºC, + 0.23ºC higher than its normal. Mean temperature values higher than this month occurred only in 35% of the years, since 1931.
The mean value of the maximum air temperature, 13.79ºC, was higher than normal at + 0.70ºC, which only occurred in 20% of the years, since 1931. The average value of the minimum air temperature, 4.30ºC was lower than normal in -0.24ºC.
January presented a great variability in terms of temperature values, with the minimum temperature values recorded on January 3 and 4, much higher than normal and at 15th much lower than normal. Also to emphasize the values of maximum temperature above normal, between January 28 and 31.
Regarding precipitation, the month of January was classified as dry, with a mean value of precipitation in mainland Portugal (76.5 mm) corresponding to 65% of the normal value. In the last 15 years, in only 5 years the average amount of precipitation in January was higher than the normal value (1971-2000). It should be noted that it is the 10th consecutive month with monthly precipitation values below normal.
At the end of this month about 56% of the territory was in severe drought, 40% in moderate drought and 4% in weak drought. At the end of the month, and in relation to the preliminary determination of January 15, there was an increase in the area under severe drought conditions, particularly in the northern and central interior regions.