Turkey braces for extreme heat wave as temperatures surge above 40°C

A high‑pressure heat wave originating over Europe and Africa is moving eastward into Turkey. Meteorological authorities, including the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) and the General Directorate of Meteorology, warn that the country will see temperatures reaching 40‑45 °C, with some southeastern provinces expected to exceed 42 °C through the early week. Forecasts from experts such as Cengiz Çelik and Adil Tek highlight the added danger of high humidity on the Mediterranean coast, where perceived temperatures could approach 50 °C.

The heat spell follows record‑breaking conditions across western Europe, where France, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom have already recorded temperatures above 40 °C and issued red‑alert warnings. Authorities in those countries have taken measures such as restricting outdoor alcohol sales, suspending events and deploying water‑sprinkling systems. While the peak is expected to shift eastward, the widespread extreme heat underscores ongoing climate‑related stress across the region.