A protestor carries a water bottle while marching with others towards the parliament in hot weather, during a demonstration by workers' unions in Lisbon, Thursday, July 7, 2022. Portugal recorded its hottest July on record last month, the country鈥檚 weather service said Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. The heat worsened Portugal鈥檚 drought, with 45% of the mainland in 鈥渆xtreme drought鈥� -- the highest classification -- and the rest in 鈥渟evere鈥� drought, which is the second-highest, by the end of July. Credit: AP Photo/Armando Franca, File

Portugal recorded its hottest July on record last month, the country's weather service said Friday.

The heat worsened Portugal's drought, with 45% of the mainland in ""鈥攖he highest classification鈥攁nd the rest in "severe" drought, which is the second-highest, by the end of July.

Many other parts of western Europe also witnessed torrid conditions in the early summer, and scientists say will continue to make weather more extreme.

Southern Europe's climate is changing to resemble that of North Africa, according to experts.

The Portuguese , known by its acronym IPMA, said July was the hottest since national records began in 1931.

The average temperature was 25.14 degrees Celsius (77.25 degrees Fahrenheit), it said. That was almost 3 degrees Celsius higher than the expected July average.

National rainfall measured 3 millimeters (0.12 inches), which was around 22% of the normal amount, the IMPA said.

A woman looks down at Carcavelos beach, outside Lisbon, Friday, July 8, 2022. Portugal recorded its hottest July on record last month, the country鈥檚 weather service said Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. The heat worsened Portugal鈥檚 drought, with 45% of the mainland in 鈥渆xtreme drought鈥� -- the highest classification -- and the rest in 鈥渟evere鈥� drought, which is the second-highest, by the end of July. Credit: AP Photo/Armando Franca, File

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