Türkiye records 19th-hottest July as August temperatures climb

Türkiye recorded its highest temperature of the year so far in July, with thermometers reaching 46.8 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit) in Cizre, a district in Şırnak province in southeastern Türkiye, while the lowest temperature fell to 4.6 degrees in Kangal, a district in Sivas province in central Türkiye.

Data from the General Directorate of Meteorology showed that Türkiye’s average temperature in July was 25.3 degrees Celsius, slightly above the 25-degree average recorded for the 1991-2020 period.

July 2026 ranked as the 19th-hottest July recorded in Türkiye over the past 56 years.

Temperatures varied significantly across the country during the month. They were above seasonal averages in parts of the Aegean, Mediterranean, eastern Anatolia and southeastern Anatolia regions, while some areas recorded temperatures below seasonal norms.

The Mediterranean region recorded an average temperature of 27.8 degrees, 0.7 degrees above its long-term July average of 27.1 degrees. The highest temperature in the region was 43.8 degrees Celsius in Kozan, in southern Türkiye, while the lowest was 7.1 degrees in Göksun, also in southern Türkiye.

Southeastern Anatolia also recorded a 0.7 degree increase from its long-term July average. The region’s average temperature reached 31.8 degrees, compared with 31.1 degrees normally recorded in July.

In the Aegean region, the average temperature rose to 27 degrees from a long-term July average of 26.5 degrees. Aydin recorded the region’s highest temperature at 42.6 degrees.

Eastern Anatolia also experienced warmer conditions, with the average temperature reaching 23.8 degrees, compared with a long-term average of 23.3 degrees. Palu recorded the region’s highest temperature at 41.5 degrees.

Central Anatolia was one of the few regions to record a lower-than-normal average. The region’s temperature averaged 22.3 degrees, compared with its long-term July average of 22.7 degrees.

Meanwhile, the Marmara region’s average temperature increased from 24.4 degrees to 24.7 degrees, while the Black Sea region remained close to seasonal norms, averaging 22.6 degrees compared with its long-term average of 22.7 degrees.

The data highlights the continued variation in temperatures across Türkiye, with some regions experiencing significantly warmer-than-normal conditions while others remained close to or below their long-term averages.

The contrasting regional trends come as Türkiye prepares for another spell of rising temperatures, with warmer conditions expected across much of the country later this week.

According to the weekly forecast issued by the General Directorate of Meteorology, temperatures are expected to begin rising Thursday, reaching as high as 41 degrees Celsius in southern parts of Türkiye toward the weekend.

Rainfall in the Black Sea and inland parts of the Mediterranean will continue through midweek before easing Thursday, giving way to sunny and warmer weather. Temperatures are expected to rise particularly in the Aegean, Mediterranean, central Anatolia and southeastern Anatolia regions, with some areas exceeding seasonal averages.

Ankara’s temperatures are forecast to rise from 30 degrees Celsius today to 33 degrees Friday and 35 degrees Saturday. Antalya is expected to reach 36 degrees Thursday and 41 degrees Friday, while temperatures in Sanliurfa could climb to around 41 degrees toward the weekend.

Sunny weather will also dominate the Marmara and Aegean regions. Istanbul is expected to reach 32 degrees Thursday and remain around 30 degrees over the weekend, while Izmir and Aydin could see temperatures above 35 degrees.

Meteorological authorities urged older adults, children and people with chronic illnesses to exercise caution during the hottest hours of the day.

DAILYSABAH