Turkey Heat Wave: Tourists Urged to Stay Indoors During Peak Sun Hours

A severe heat wave sweeping in from Greece is pushing perceived temperatures in parts of Turkey to a blistering 50 degrees Celsius, prompting a local doctor to warn tourists and residents alike to avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day. Turkish internist Dilek Şengül told RIA Novosti that the real-feel heat will be especially intense along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, where actual air temperatures are expected to hit 41 degrees in the coming days.

Şengül advised everyone, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with heart conditions, to stay indoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during those hours, she explained, can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and flare-ups of chronic illnesses. She also recommended drinking plenty of water, wearing loose, light-colored clothing, and using a hat when going outside is unavoidable.

Turkey has been locked in a persistent heat wave for weeks, with temperatures running well above seasonal norms. The extreme conditions are raising concerns about wildfires and putting extra strain on the power grid as air conditioners run nonstop. While the hottest temperatures are typically recorded in the southeast, this latest surge is now hitting the country’s most popular tourist destinations along the Aegean and Mediterranean shores, making it a serious concern for holidaymakers.