The first snow fell in the district of Castelo Branco in eastern Portugal. The unusual rainfall for this time of the year came a few days after a similar heat wave in October of around 30 degrees.
The first snow fell on Friday in the Serra da Estrela mountain range, near the border with Spain. The Portuguese State Institute of the Sea and Atmospheric (IPMA) reported that the snow occurred in the east of the country after the temperature dropped to around -1 degrees Celsius.
According to IPMA weather forecasters, snow is expected again till Sunday along with the expected decrease in air temperature in the continental part of the country.
This time of year is rare
Snowfall in October in Portugal is rare, as is the temperature of around 30 degrees. Such a heat wave is observed in most parts of the country from the middle of the month.
Due to the warming of the air and very dry land, which occurred as a result of the lack of rain, several dozen fires have occurred in meadows and forests in recent days in Portugal.
Main photo: Gonçalo Poço Photography/Facebook