Algeria endures record heatwave with temperatures soaring to 49°C

The Algerian National Meteorology Office has kept special weather bulletins (BMS) in force for several wilayas, placing much of the country under orange‑level heat alerts. Forecasts call for daytime temperatures of 44‑45 °C on average, with local peaks reaching or exceeding 49 °C in regions such as Blida, Médéa, Djelfa, Biskra, Ouargla and other central, eastern and southern wilayas. Nighttime lows remain high, often above 28 °C, offering little relief. The heatwave, described by meteorologists as a persistent “heat dome,” is expected to continue into the end of July.

In neighboring Tunisia, the same extreme temperatures have ignited a surge of wildfires, with 900 fire ignitions reported over a 72‑hour period and two large blazes still active. Authorities link the blaze outbreak to the severe heat combined with dry vegetation. Simultaneously, the national electricity provider has imposed rolling power cuts, citing record demand driven by excessive air‑conditioner use.

Morocco is also feeling the heat, with the national weather service forecasting a brief cooling this weekend followed by a new temperature rise early next week, as a Saharan thermal depression persists.