Portugal sees drought conditions in the middle of winter

LISBON, Portugal – Portugal is going through a drought — in the middle of winter.

The Portuguese weather office says 98 per cent of the country is experiencing drought conditions.

It says January brought “very dry” weather, with average rainfall of 64 millimeters (2.52 inches). That was around half of that month’s expected level.

The weather office said in its monthly report published late Thursday that rainfall since Oct. 1 has been 70 per cent of the average for that period.

Water levels in Portugal’s reservoirs are also lower than usual. Some reservoirs in the northwest and southwest of the country are only a third full at a time of the year when they are usually two-thirds full.