Assessing Heatwaves and Their Association with North African Dust Intrusions in the Algarve (Portugal)

Heatwaves are an extreme meteorological event in which affected populations may also be exposed to deteriorated air quality conditions due the increase pollutant concentrations, such as PM10 (particulate matter < 10 µg/m3). In order identify heatwaves (1973–2019) region of Faro (Algarve) during hot season (April–September), Excess Heat Factor (EHF) index was applied. The Mann–Kendall test revealed upward trend three heatwave metrics Faro, and accumulated heat load (EHF load) positive would expected, but its signal not statistically significant. An inventory North African dust events (2006–2019) made, their simultaneous occurrence with assessed, pointing only 20% Sahara occurring simultaneously days. A cluster analysis conducted on daily geopotential height fields at 850 hPa level over 2006–2019 period, four distinct patterns were identified most prominent synoptic circulations promoting both Algarve.