Brits heading to Turkey, Greece and Cyprus this term will want to be vigilant about blistering temperatures on arrival, as the European heatwave from the summer rumbles on.
Over the last weekend alone, the holiday haven of Antalya, Turkey, hit 41C according to some weather stations, smashing their previous record for October's hottest day by two degrees.
The Mirror reports that it also means that Turkey has just recorded its hottest day in October since 1930, according to meteorologist Yaser Turker - who wrote: "Antalya experienced a historical day in terms of temperature.
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"Antalya Airport experienced the hottest October day since 1930 with 41.2°C (Central 40.4°C) due to the blow-drying of the hot air coming from Africa and descending to the bay from N and NW. 41.2°C is also Turkey's October record."
The heatwave has landed on the shores of a region with is favoured by holidaymakers seeking fun in the sun in Turkey, with more than 10 million tourists landing in Antalya this year so far. October 1 was a particular scorcher across the board, with Cyprus's Athalassa National Park clocking in just shy of 40C, and Potamoi in Greece reaching highs of 39.2C.
According to Arabia Weather, the temperature spike is the result of a wind descending from the tops of the Taurus mountains in a weather phenomenon known as 'Fohn wind'. And while temperatures have in-fact cooled over the past two days to a much more manageable 30C across Turkey's southern coast, the highpoint of the weekend is a gentle reminder of how relentless and unpredictable the global weather of 2022 can be.
In the summer, temperature records tumbled across Europe with thermometers topping 40C for the first time in the UK, while Portugal played host to wildfires due to sizzling 47C heats. In one of the hottest parts of the world - Death Valley, USA, temperatures also stayed above 50C for the first time ever.
Starting from the middle of June 2022, China has experienced in this summer the longest and strongest heatwave on record since the country established its national meteorological observations in 1961. The heatwave lasted for about 70 days, with temperatures in several provinces and dozens of cities surpassing 40C.
The longevity of the heatwave, and the fact it hit so many countries across the globe, underlined the alarming effect of man-made global warming. Many scientists warned that such temperatures - and the damage they can do to people and natural resources - will become increasingly common.
As Half Term approaches, Brits who are looking to make the most of the relatively weak state of the Turkish economy may either be alarmed or welcome the likely high heats. Although the temperatures will most likely drop by the time schools break-up in a fortnight, the seemingly relentless nature of the 2022 heatwave can't be ruled out.
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