Tunisia braces for cooling temperatures after extreme heatwave

Tunisia is anticipating a gradual improvement in weather conditions starting Friday, with a progressive decrease in temperatures expected to bring relief after several days of extreme heat that have strained the population and the national power grid. Hydrometeorology engineer Mehrez Ghannouchi shared the latest forecasts on his official Facebook page.

Thursday, July 23, is predicted to be the "last true test" before temperatures begin to fall. European model simulations indicate that the hot air mass will start to recede, allowing for more tolerable conditions over the weekend. Throughout Thursday, warm winds originating from the Sahara will continue to dominate. Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 38°C and 42°C in northern and coastal areas, while central and southern regions could see temperatures between 44°C and 46°C, with some localized higher peaks in the far south.

Starting Friday, the gradual establishment of north and northeast winds will contribute to an initial temperature drop in the north and along the coast, with highs expected between 32°C and 38°C. However, central and southern regions will remain under the influence of heat, with temperatures still ranging from 40°C to 46°C. The cooling trend is expected to become more widespread over the weekend of July 25-26 as the Saharan air mass retreats further south.

Maximum temperatures during the weekend are projected to be between 30°C and 36°C in the north and coastal areas, and between 38°C and 42°C in the central and southern regions. Ghannouchi highlighted that this shift will not only lower temperatures but also significantly reduce the perceived heat, lead to more pleasant nights, ease pressure on the electrical grid, and decrease the risk of fires. Despite the anticipated relief, he urged continued vigilance, as vegetation remains extremely dry after the prolonged heatwave. Tunisia appears to be moving past one of the most intense heatwave episodes of the summer, though Thursday will still present challenging conditions.