Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policies Application and Research Center Board Member Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş talked about the heat waves expected in Turkey and the possible effects of climatic shifts that may occur in the long term.
Stating that long-term temperature increases continue in almost every region of the world, Türkeş said that the average highest and lowest temperatures have also increased in Turkey.
Emphasizing that there have been significant increases in night temperatures and record temperatures, and serious increases in the duration, length and frequency of heat waves, Türkeş said, “2023 reached the global warming threshold of approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius, and it passed several times during the year. The summer of 2023 was very hot, 2024′ “Every month, record temperatures are experienced, that is, the highest temperatures compared to pre-industrial times, and new high temperature records are being broken.” said.
We experienced the weather in May in March
Türkeş reminded that in March, temperatures in most of Turkey were well above seasonal norms.
Pointing out that temperatures reaching 30 degrees, which are usually seen at the end of May and the beginning of June, have started to be experienced this month, Türkeş said, “When we look at both seasonal weather forecasts and short-term climate predictions, it is very likely that the air temperatures will be seasonal in most parts of Turkey this summer. “I predict that high temperature records will be broken in Southeastern Anatolia, in the microclimate pit areas of Central Anatolia, and in Southwest Anatolia.” he said.
‘It will be 5-7 degrees higher’
Türkeş stated that, according to his research, in Turkey, located in the Mediterranean basin, air temperatures are expected to increase further in the future, summer heat will be 5 to 7 degrees higher, and weather will be 3 to 5 degrees hotter than long-term averages throughout the year.
Explaining that the precipitation regime will change, Türkeş stated that heavy, strong, extreme thunderstorms and the floods they will cause, overflows in rivers and floods in cities will be more common from now on.
Prof. Dr. Warning that the change in the precipitation regime may increase the frequency, duration and severity of drought in the Mediterranean basin, especially during the cold periods of the year, Türkeş continued as follows:
“There are serious spatial shifts in the main climatic regions in Turkey. It is predicted that in 50 years the Mediterranean climate will cover much larger areas than today. For example, the majority of the Western Black Sea, the inner regions of the Black Sea, the valley belts we call ‘rain shadow’, “It is coming under the influence of the Mediterranean climate. The semi-arid steppe climate that dominates Central Anatolia is also expanding its area. Therefore, before the end of the century, Turkey will most likely be dominated by the much hotter and drier Mediterranean and steppe climates.”
‘Glaciers are melting’
Expressing that air temperatures will narrow the area of the humid temperate climate in the Black Sea Region and the cold climate in Eastern Anatolia, Türkeş said that the cold climate zone will completely disappear except for the northern parts of Northeastern Anatolia.
Pointing out that glaciers are melting rapidly, Türkeş said: “Glaciers are very important. The mountains where glaciers form are also areas where permanent snow occurs. If medium and pessimistic climate scenarios come true, there will be no spring snowmelt in the future as snowfall will almost never fall. At the same time, the rapidly melting mountains In the pessimistic scenario at the end of the century, we expect our glaciers and even the glacier cap at the top of the Greater Ararat to melt. By 2070, unless there is a serious change, we will have already experienced this in a much hotter, drier region that is suitable for extreme weather and climate events. “I can say that we opened the door to the world.”
Tags: temperature summer Turkey temperature increase degrees summer
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