23.07.2025 21:49
A heatwave of African origin has virtually scorched Istanbul. Meteorological engineer Adil Tek, who issued warnings to citizens, stated, "We predict that the temperature values in Istanbul will rise to 43-44 degrees on the 25th and 26th of this month." Tek also mentioned that they are expecting a new heatwave in August, saying, "It seems that this heatwave will further increase the ambient temperature."
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The heat wave originating from Africa has caused temperatures in Istanbul to soar above seasonal norms, leaving citizens feeling overwhelmed.
SOME WENT SWIMMING, OTHERS COOLED OFF IN PARKS While some sought relief by the seaside, others tried to protect themselves from the heat by swimming. At Çengelköy Beach, those overwhelmed by the heat jumped into the water; some citizens attempted to cool off by spending time in parks.
"TEMPERATURES HAVE RISEN ABOVE SEASONAL NORMS" Adil Tek, a meteorology engineer at the Kandilli Observatory Meteorology Laboratory, stated, "There are flows coming from North Africa. This is a flow that has been coming since last weekend. Initially, the air flowing from the west of Africa through Morocco and Tunisia came to us via Italy and Greece. It has pushed temperature values above seasonal norms. This heat wave from Africa has started to come in a more direct manner and has further increased these temperatures since yesterday, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees in Istanbul. These temperature values are not commonly observed. The highest recorded temperature in Istanbul was 41.3 degrees. Of course, these values may be slightly higher in the southern districts of Istanbul," he said.
"HIGHEST VALUES WILL BE REACHED ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY" Tek continued, "The temperature values in Istanbul are continuing today. Tomorrow, it will remain the same, but starting from Friday, these temperatures will rise a few degrees higher, surpassing previous temperature values significantly. There is a possibility of breaking the temperature record in Istanbul. The peak values will be reached on Friday and Saturday. Temperatures will be at their highest on Friday and Saturday. Starting from Sunday, temperatures will gradually begin to decrease over the next few days, that is, on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday," he said.
Adil Tek, Meteorology Engineer at the Kandilli Observatory Meteorology Laboratory "A NEW HEAT WAVE IS EXPECTED AS OF AUGUST 5" Adil Tek stated, "After these temperatures start to drop, they will continue for another 4-5 days, and a new heat wave is expected to appear by August 5. This heat wave seems likely to raise the ambient temperature even more than what we are currently experiencing. This year, we have been exposed to heat waves much more than last year. This is approximately the fifth heat wave. While temperatures at our current location are around 35 degrees, they rise to 40-41 degrees in the more inland areas of Istanbul, such as Sancaktepe. In Şişli, temperatures have already exceeded 41 degrees today. Particularly, districts where temperatures exceed 40 degrees include Sancaktepe, Ümraniye, and the inner parts of Tuzla and Pendik on the Asian side. On the European side, districts like Beylikdüzü and those farther from the sea, such as Şişli and Kağıthane, are among the areas feeling the heat more intensely. In districts like Sarıyer and Beykoz in Istanbul, temperatures are a few degrees lower due to their proximity to the north. Today's temperatures reaching 40 degrees indicate that atmospheric conditions suggest it will get even warmer," he said.
"THESE EXTREME VALUES ARE NOT COMMONLY OBSERVED" Adil Tek stated, "We predict that on the 25th and 26th of this month, temperatures in Istanbul will rise to 43-44 degrees, which is already due to the temperatures reaching 40 degrees today. The atmospheric conditions, the pressure coming from North Africa, and the heat flow reaching their peak on those days strengthen this possibility. Our current predictions, the temperature values reached today, and the ongoing flow from Africa indicate that these temperatures will continue to rise. It seems that a temperature record will be broken. Currently, temperatures in coastal areas of Istanbul are around 35 degrees. As we move north, they rise to 33-34 degrees. Over the sea, temperatures are slightly lower, around 29-30 degrees. In the inner parts of Istanbul, temperatures exceed 35 degrees, reaching 37-38 degrees. These extreme values are not commonly observed. We attribute this to global climate change," he expressed.
"POLLUTED AIR HAD ACCUMULATED OVER THE MARMARA SEA" Tek stated, "This morning, especially between the morning and noon hours, polluted air was visible over the Marmara Sea in Istanbul. One of the possibilities for this polluted air is the lack of temperature inversion, where temperature does not increase or decrease with altitude. Therefore, the polluted air produced in Istanbul had accumulated over the Marmara Sea due to atmospheric conditions. There was no wind; the weather was very calm with very low wind. Along with this, there was an interaction with the Black Sea. For this reason, a land breeze had formed. There was pollution over the sea. Sometimes we refer to this pollution as photochemical air pollution, and there is sometimes an accumulation of ozone over the Marmara Sea. Breathing this air is harmful and poses health risks; however, in the following hours, this situation has cleared up in Istanbul due to the effects of the north wind," he said.
"ISTANBUL COULD SEE 44 DEGREES" Tek stated, "Today, we reached up to 40 degrees. There were places where 41 degrees were measured. In those places where 41 degrees were measured, there is a possibility that temperatures could rise to 44 degrees on Friday and Saturday. Istanbul could see 44 degrees. This could be the highest temperature ever recorded in Istanbul. In coastal areas, we are currently at around 35 degrees, and these areas could see 38 degrees. Compared to today, we expect an increase of about 2-3 degrees in temperature by Saturday," he said.
"WE CAME TO THE BEACH TO ESCAPE THE HEAT" Those overwhelmed by the heat in Istanbul flocked to the beaches and parks.
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Some citizens went into the sea at Çengelköy Beach; others tried to cool off by spending time in the parks. Nuran Özmen said, "We are feeling overwhelmed; we wish for cooler weather, more breeze so we can relax. It's a very difficult situation for us, but there's nothing we can do. It's very hot, really hot. I have chronic illnesses, but we came here to cool off. We struggled to get ourselves here. Süveybe Yazıcı said, "The weather is really hot. We also come to the beach to escape the hot weather. This is how we spend the day. It doesn't calm down in the evening, nor does it calm down during the day. The heat is really oppressive. They say it will exceed 40 degrees on Saturday. I don't know what we will do. We can't stay at home, we can't stay outside. We go wherever there is shade."