Tunisia braces for scorching heatwave with temperatures up to 47°C

Tunisia is bracing for several days of intense heat as hot desert air masses from North Africa move in. Meteorologist Mehrez Ghannouchi noted this is driven by a large thermal dome over Western Europe, a pattern that has made extreme heat events more frequent in the Mediterranean.

“

Tunisia should experience a significant temperature increase in the coming days with the arrival of very hot desert air masses from North Africa, under the effect of a weather pattern marked by a significant thermal dome over Western Europe.

While the core of the thermal dome will remain over Europe, Tunisia will feel its effects. An anticyclone over North Africa and the central Mediterranean will continue to push hot, dry air into the country. Temperatures are expected to climb, ranging from 38-43°C in northern and central regions, and potentially reaching 43-46°C inland and in the south, with isolated peaks of 47°C in the far south.

“

The Mediterranean basin is currently facing a particular meteorological situation, characterized by the persistence of extreme heat phenomena that have become more frequent in recent years.

The heat will be intensified by high humidity, particularly along the coast, due to warming Mediterranean waters. This combination will make conditions more challenging, especially at night, as heat dissipates slowly from buildings and infrastructure. Ghannouchi clarified that Tunisia is not directly under the thermal dome but is influenced by its consequences, highlighting the region's vulnerability to increasingly frequent extreme heat episodes.

“

Even if the heart of the thermal dome remains over Western Europe, Tunisia will be affected by the effects of this meteorological configuration.