The hot weather front arriving in Turkey from North Africa today has prompted authorities to urge the public to beware of the coming heat wave and wear hats and sunglasses when outdoors. With temperatures in some parts of the country expected to reach well over 40 degrees Celsius in the next few days, experts are warning everyone to drink plenty of fluids during the day and not to go out if not necessary.
Professor Kayıhan Pala from Uludağ University's Faculty of Medicine told Anadolu Agency that extreme temperatures pose a huge risk to those with cardiac and respiratory problems. "Temperature alone is not a huge risk, but combined with humidity, it becomes a threat," he said, warning people not to go outside between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Professor Orhan Şen from Istanbul Technical University's Department of Meteorological Engineering said with temperatures passing 40 C in Antalya and İzmir and coming very close to that in Ankara and Istanbul, the weather can become deadly.
"Dozens died in a similar heat wave in France in 2003," he warned.
