African heat wave sweeps across Türkiye, temperatures to peak in Istanbul
View of Istanbul during sunset with skyscrapers and over populated urban architecture. (Adobe Stock Photo)
As March unfolds, the traces of winter are fading rapidly across Türkiye. With several days of sunny weather, temperatures have risen noticeably, and an intense heatwave originating from Africa has now entered the country via the Mediterranean.
Meteorology Engineer Adil Tek provided a detailed forecast for Türkiye, explaining the day-by-day developments to Turkish media.
February 2025 was third warmest on record
As the effects of climate change become increasingly evident worldwide, February 2025 has gone down in history as the third warmest February ever recorded.
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the global average temperature was 0.63 degrees Celsius higher than the 1991-2020 average. Despite the presence of the La Nina phenomenon, global temperatures have continued to rise significantly.
Now, as March progresses, the impact of rising temperatures is becoming even more apparent. In Türkiye, the remnants of winter have all but disappeared, giving way to warmer days, especially in Istanbul and other major cities.
Is the world getting hotter every month?
The rising global temperatures bring one key question to mind: Is the world getting hotter every month?
Meteorology Engineer Adil Tek cautions against making such a generalization but acknowledges a clear warming trend.
“It is not entirely accurate to say that every month is getting hotter, but there is a clear upward trend in global temperatures. One of the most critical factors driving this is the increasing sea surface temperatures. Events such as El Nino and La Nina influence ocean temperatures, which in turn affect global climate patterns. However, this temperature increase is not uniform worldwide. Some regions experience extreme heat, while others remain relatively cooler,” Tek explained.
He further elaborated on Türkiye’s weather pattern, stating, “In February, Türkiye experienced below-average temperatures, meaning it was relatively colder. However, some other parts of the world saw extreme heat. While Türkiye was cooler than usual, Western Europe faced unseasonably high temperatures.”
Heat wave arrives early: Türkiye to experience June-like temperatures
Adil Tek highlighted that warm air from Africa has already begun to impact the country.
“We started feeling its effects last week. In the Mediterranean region, temperatures soared to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Now, this heatwave is spreading further north. In fact, the temperatures we typically expect in late May or early June will be felt this week,” he warned.
How hot will it get?
Providing a detailed day-by-day breakdown, Adil Tek outlined the expected temperature increases:
- March 11-12: Warm air will spread across the southern and western parts of the country, making the weather noticeably milder. However, in the eastern regions, particularly at higher altitudes, snow will persist on the ground, meaning cold weather will linger in the East and Southeast Anatolia.
- March 13: High temperatures will become more evident, especially in Adana and surrounding areas. The inland parts of the Aegean, southern Marmara—including Balikesir and even Tekirdag—will experience the warmth. In the Black Sea region, cities such as Samsun and Ordu will also be affected.
- March 14: Antalya and Adana will see even higher temperatures, while the interior parts of the Aegean will reach around 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peak temperatures expected on March 15
The heatwave will peak on Saturday, March 15, affecting most of the country.
“On Saturday, we will feel the heat across Türkiye. It will be a scorching day. In the eastern Marmara, the Aegean, the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, and the western Black Sea, temperatures will soar above 77 degrees Fahrenheit,” Tek stated.
Some parts of Istanbul to exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit
Adil Tek also highlighted the temperature variations within Istanbul.
“On March 15, coastal areas of Istanbul will see temperatures around 69.8-73.4 degrees Fahrenheit. However, in the inner parts of the city, particularly in the inland regions of the Anatolian side, temperatures could climb as high as 80.6-82.4 degrees Fahrenheit,” he warned.
