Experts Warn of 'Sahara Heat Wave' in Turkey

Turkey is expected to be under the influence of the 'Sahara heat wave' for the next week. Experts warn that temperatures will rise and advise citizens to 'not go out without a hat or umbrella'.Starting from tomorrow, temperatures in the western, southern, and inner regions of the country are expected to rise above normal. Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş, a member of the Board of Directors of the Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policy Implementation and Research Center, stated that an early summer heat wave is being experienced in Western Europe and Turkey, as has been the case in recent years.According to Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş, a severe heat wave has started to affect Western Europe over the past five days. The weather system that enables the Sahara heat wave to affect a wide geography from North Africa to England is related to the 'Omega blockage' high-pressure system. The same system is likely to cause temperatures to rise above normal in the western, southern, and inner regions of the country starting from tomorrow.Mehmet Özdemir, an expert from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, stated that temperatures are expected to rise by 2-3 degrees in the inner and western parts of the country over the next week, following the increase in temperatures in Europe. 'It will go on like this for a week. We do not see any risk for the country in the weekly forecasts. These are normal temperatures that the country is used to. Europe is experiencing temperatures above the long-term averages.'Mehmet Özdemir called on citizens to be cautious, saying, 'We want people, especially the elderly, children, or those with chronic illnesses, not to go out between 12:00-16:00 when they will be exposed to the sun. Those who have to go out should use an umbrella and a hat.'