Holidaymakers jetting off for some half-term autumn sun in the Med are being warned of red-hot temperatures as heat records continue to be smashed.
The population destinations of Turkey, Greece and Cyprus have seen thermometers shoot up to around 40C in a throwback to the UK’s very own heatwave earlier in the summer. Antalya, on Turkey’s south coast, has already recorded the hottest October temperature there since 1930 when the mercury hit 41C at the weekend, beating the previous mark by two degrees, reports the Mirror.
“Antalya experienced a historical day in terms of temperature,” wrote meteorologist Yaser Turker. “Antalya Airport had the hottest October day since 1930 with 41.2°C (Central 40.4°C) due to the blow-drying of the hot air coming from Africa and descending to the bay from N and NW. 41.2°C is also Turkey’s October record.”
Athalassa National Park, located near the Cyprus capital Nicosia, fell just shy of 40C, which is around 10 degrees more than the average at this time of year, while residents in Potamoi, in Greece, endured a day of 39.2C
Arabia Weather says the spike in temperatures his due to the result of a wind descending from the tops of the Taurus mountains, in southern Turkey, in a weather phenomenon called Fohn wind. This is a dry, warm wind that occurs in the downwind side of a mountain range.
Temperatures have cooled in the past few days to a more manageable 30C across Turkey’s south coast, but the mercury’s highpoint this weekend is a reminder of how relentless 2022 has been from a weather point of view. Records tumbled across Europe as thermometers topped 40C for the first time in the UK.
In Portugal a breathtaking 47C was reached as wildfires ripped across the country, while the mercury stayed above 50C in Death Valley, USA for the first time ever. Starting from the middle of June 2022, China has experienced in this summer the longest and strongest heatwave on record since the country established its national meteorological observations in 1961.
The heatwave lasted for about 70 days, with temperatures in several provinces and dozens of cities surpassing 40C. Many scientists warned that such temperatures – and the damage they can do to people and natural resources – will become increasingly common.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
