Turkey Sets New Record: Scorching 50.5C Temperature Sparks Climate Change Concerns
On Friday, June 18, 2025, Türkiye recorded a new all-time European temperature record when the southeastern province of Sirnak reached 50.5 degrees Celsius (122.9 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record of 48.8 degrees Celsius set in Sicily, Italy, in August 2021. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in 31 Turkish provinces, running 6-12 degrees above seasonal averages. This record is significant because Türkiye contains territory classified within the World Meteorological Organization’s European region. The WMO’s rigorous verification process ensures confidence in global temperature records, and officials warn that greater extremes may occur across Europe in the future.
John Q. Hosedrinker