Astonishing Mediterranean heatwave produces national record in south east of Turkey
A temperature was 50.5°C, recorded in Silopi, Şırnak province, on 25 July marking the highest temperature in the country’s history. This surpassed the previous national record of 50.0°C set in Hassa, Hatay, in August 2023. The extreme heat is part of an unprecedented Mediterranean heatwave, with hundreds of local temperature records shattered across Turkey and the broader region. Silopi is in the east of the country just 30 km from the border with Iraq.
Over 50 stations across Turkey exceeded 45°C, even at mid-elevations with the location of stations showing the highest temperatures below. Exceptionally high night time minimums of above 30°C were also recorded including 31.5 Adymanan and 31.2 Gaziantep, both in southern Turkey.
Throughout July, Turkey has seen extensive wildfires throughout the country with devastating wildfire in central Turkey’s Eskişehir province in the Seyitgazi district ongoing since 22 July. 10 volunteer firefighters were killed and 14 injured on 23 July due to a sudden wind shift that trapped them in flames. Firefighting efforts involved dozens of planes, helicopters, and ground crews, but the blaze remained challenging to contain due to strong winds.
Wildfires broke out in the popular resort city of Antalya on the 26 July, prompting evacuations in the city centre and surrounding areas. Aircraft were deployed to dump water on the flames, with locals assisting firefighters using hoses and buckets. The Aksu district was particularly affected. Other wildfires started on Friday in Adana and Mersin, further east along the coast.
Update – 26/27 July 2025
The country’s fourth-largest city, Bursa in northwest Turkey saw overnight fires in the forested mountains spread rapidly overnight causing more than 1,500 people to flee their homes. A red glow was seen over the city’s eastern suburbs.
A statement from the office of the Governor of Bursa on Sunday 27 July indicated that hat 1,765 people had been safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed as surrounding forests burned.
