Record heat wave felt all around the country

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey has seen temperatures above seasonal averages over the last two weeks. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

The hottest day of last 86 years in Ankara was recorded on July 27, the General Directorate of Meteorology announced on its website.

“With 41 degrees Celsius Ankara witnessed its hottest day since 1926, when the directorate was founded and began recording,” the directorate release read.

Turkey’s south was also hit by sweltering conditions, with temperatures in some areas reaching almost 50 degrees in recent days. A heat wave coming in from North Africa particularly affected the southwestern province of Muğla, which hit 49 degrees.Weather temperatures are currently 3 to 5 degrees above the seasonal average in the east of the country, while central and western provinces are experiencing temperatures 5 to 9 degrees higher than normally seen this time of year, the meteorology directorate stated.In many cities, civil servants who are susceptible to high temperatures, such as pregnant women or people with chronic disorders, were allowed to take time off work by administrative order.

Turkey’s tourism capital, Antalya, is also suffering from the heat wave and high levels of humidity. Humidity levels reached nearly 90 percent, according to reports.

Fortunately, temperatures are expected to go down 4 or 7 degrees across the country over the weekend, and rain is expected in some areas in the north, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology. Turkey has been experiencing temperatures well above seasonal averages over the last two weeks.