African Heatwave Boosts Temperatures Across Turkey
· Milliyet Ekonomi
Temperatures in Turkey are expected to rise 3 to 6 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms due to a tropical air mass originating from Africa, which is currently affecting the entire country.
Heatwave of African Origin
Air temperatures across Turkey have begun to exceed seasonal norms due to a tropical air mass originating from Africa. Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş, a board member at Boğaziçi University's Center for Climate Change and Policy Application and Research, stated that the heatwave is spreading to the Black Sea Basin and Turkey via the Central Mediterranean and the Balkans.
Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş, a board member at Boğaziçi University's Center for Climate Change and Policy Application and Research, made the following assessment regarding the heatwave:
"Turkey is under the influence of a heatwave of African origin. Until August 27, temperatures in large parts of Turkey, including the Aegean Region, may be 3 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than normal."
Regional Temperature and Humidity Increase
While the heatwave is expected to subside by Thursday, August 27, temperatures are projected to remain above seasonal norms in the first week of September.
Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş, a board member at Boğaziçi University's Center for Climate Change and Policy Application and Research, further elaborated on the effects of humidity and temperature:
"Temperatures may be around normal, especially in regions that will receive rainfall. During the days when the heatwave is effective, humidity will be very high along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, but particularly in the Eastern Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. Due to high humidity, perceived temperatures on our coasts will negatively impact human comfort. People will feel the heat higher due to the high humidity."
Atmospheric Condition Comparison with Europe
Evaluating the climatic movements across Europe, Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş emphasized that while Western and Central Europe are experiencing extreme heat and drought, balanced air corridors are forming in Turkey.
Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş, a board member at Boğaziçi University's Center for Climate Change and Policy Application and Research, explained the atmospheric balance with the following words:
"While Western and Central Europe are experiencing very high temperatures and droughts; in Eastern Europe, the Black Sea Basin, and Turkey, due to the influence of upper atmospheric low-pressure systems supported by relatively cooler air and meteorological troughs that can cause precipitation, which balance the high-pressure ridge and hot air mass in the west, record temperatures were not broken this year. Turkey did not experience consecutive heatwaves like those in Western Europe. The atmospheric conditions this year were not conducive to the weather conditions that led to record-breaking temperatures, much hotter than normal, and consecutive heatwaves, as seen in the last 5 years in Turkey."
Fire Warning Until Mid-September
Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş explained the impact of the atmospheric structure on fire risk, noting that in previous periods with northwesterly winds, a 10-day fire cycle occurred.
Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş, a board member at Boğaziçi University's Center for Climate Change and Policy Application and Research, issued a warning regarding the risk of forest fires:
"This also had a positive impact in terms of fires. During days with strong heat and northwesterly winds, there was a 10-day fire cycle. Caution is needed regarding forest fires until the effect of the latest heatwave passes. When the wind is strong, and the weather is hot and dry, especially in Southern Marmara, the Aegean, Southwestern Anatolia, and the Mediterranean coastal strip, the risk of fire can increase if the wind is strong. There is a risk of shrub and forest fires in the western and southern regions of Turkey until mid-September."