Turkey braces for weekend storms and intense heatwave in the southeast as August commences
Western Turkey, including Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara, is set to experience thunderstorms, gusty winds, and a significant temperature drop, with temperatures around 30°C during this period. There are also heavy rain and storm alerts, especially in inner parts and regions such as Istanbul, Muğla, and Antalya, where afternoon thunderstorms are expected [1][3][4].
In contrast, extreme heat will persist or re-intensify in eastern Turkey and the Black Sea region, with high temperatures continuing despite cooler conditions moving across parts of Europe. This contrast is due to a large cold wave over Europe that spares Turkey’s eastern and southeastern areas but brings storms and cooler air to the western parts.
In the western coastal areas, including the Marmara and North Aegean regions, moderate to strong northerly winds (40-60 kilometers/hour) are expected, along with short but intense storms, likely in the afternoon and early evening hours [2]. Flash flooding is a risk in low-lying areas due to these storms.
Meanwhile, in the southeastern cities such as Diyarbakir, Mardin, and Siirt, the heat is expected to persist through the weekend. Health warnings have been issued for vulnerable groups in these cities due to the heat. No rainfall is predicted in these areas [2].
In the central and northern provinces, there will be a slight drop in temperatures. Antalya and Adana will be hot and dry across most of the region, though northern Adana could see brief isolated rain, with highs between 31 and 34 degrees Celsius. Southerly winds will impact eastern Turkey [2].
Travelers and those planning outdoor activities should be prepared for potentially disruptive weather in western Turkey, including possible storm-related travel interruptions. In contrast, eastern Turkey will remain hot and dry around these dates.
Notably, the hottest spots were Kurtalan (Siirt) and Silopi (Sirnak), both recording 45.4 degrees Celsius, the highest so far this summer. Localized thunderstorms are forecasted across Eastern Marmara, Inner Aegean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea coastlines, and areas including Bolu, Kastamonu, Amasya, Sinop, and Tokat [5].
In Ankara, ongoing thunderstorms are expected, with afternoon downpours that may be heavy, and a high of 33 degrees Celsius. Istanbul will have partly cloudy weather with localized showers on the Asian side, high of 30 degrees Celsius, and winds from the north offering cooling, especially near the coast [2].
References: [1] Weather Channel [2] Turkish Weather News [3] AccuWeather [4] The Weather Network [5] Met Office
- The western coastal regions of Turkey, including Istanbul, are predicted to experience thunderstorms, gusty winds, and temperature drops, contrasting the extreme heat persisting in eastern Turkey and the Black Sea region.
- Antalya and Adana in western Turkey will be hot and dry, with highs between 31 and 34 degrees Celsius, while Ankara is expected to have ongoing thunderstorms with afternoon downpours.
- Travel in western Turkey may be disrupted due to potential storm-related travel interruptions, whereas eastern Turkey will remain hot and dry.
- Localized thunderstorms are forecasted across eastern Marmara, Inner Aegean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea coastlines, and regions like Bolu, Kastamonu, Amasya, Sinop, and Tokat, in addition to Istanbul and Ankara.
