Turkey experienced 32 extra days of risky heat in the summer of 2026

According to a new analysis by Climate Central, climate change significantly increased heat risk in Turkey during the summer of 2026. The study revealed that the average person in the country was exposed to "risky heat" conditions for an additional 32 days during the June-August period due to climate change.

In the analysis, "risky heat days" were defined as days that were hotter than 90 percent of the temperatures observed in a given region during the 1991-2020 period. It was emphasized that when this threshold is exceeded, heat-related health risks increase, particularly for the elderly, children, those with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers.

Adana was the province in Turkey with the highest number of additional risky heat days due to climate change. While this figure was calculated as 40 days in Adana, other prominent provinces included Gaziantep with 39 days, Istanbul with 37, Bursa with 34, and Izmir with 33 days.

WIDESPREAD IMPACT IN EUROPE AND ASIA

The study showed that the rise in temperatures was not limited to Turkey. Throughout the summer of 2026, more than 1.5 billion people worldwide were exposed to risky heat days, which have become more frequent due to climate change, for at least one month.

According to the analysis, nine out of every 10 Europeans experienced risky heat conditions for a month over the last three months. In 54 countries, including France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, the hottest June-August period since records began in 1970-2026 was observed.

It was noted that the largest population exposed to risky heat was in Asia. It was reported that approximately 2.8 billion people on the continent, or 58 percent of the population, faced risky heat for at least 30 days. In six African countries, the strong impact of climate change on temperatures was felt on at least 95 percent of summer days.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doğukan Doğu Yavaşlı, a faculty member at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University's Department of Geography, pointed out that the figures in the study might underestimate the true picture. Yavaşlı stated that the calculation is based on daily average temperatures and does not include the effect of humidity.

“The calculation is based on daily average temperature and does not take humidity into account. However, what really exhausts people on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts is humid heat. What needs to be done is clear: early warning systems for heatwaves, city-scale heat maps, and a health plan linked to these.”

Yavaşlı also stated that the data used is based on approximately 25-kilometer cells, and therefore may be insufficient to distinguish temperature differences at the neighborhood scale within cities. According to experts, early warning systems, city-scale heat maps, and health plans are among the fundamental components of preparation against increasing heat risks.

News Source: 12punto