Uzbekistan experiences unprecedented heatwave in July as several regions break temperature records

Uzbekistan has been hit by an unprecedented heatwave, shattering temperature records across several regions in mid-July. The Hydrometeorology Agency (Uzhydromet) reported that the heat peaked between July 16-19, with air temperatures soaring to 43-45°C in most parts of the country. Southern and desert areas experienced even more extreme conditions, reaching 46-49°C.

Several locations registered new all-time temperature records. In the capital, Tashkent, the mercury climbed to 44.3°C on July 19, narrowly missing the city's all-time high of 44.6°C set in 1997. The Fergana Valley's regional capitals also saw their maximum temperature records broken multiple times during the heatwave.

Uzhydromet attributed the extreme weather to a thermal depression. This phenomenon involves a strong upper-level ridge developing over Iran, generating an exceptionally hot air mass. As this ridge shifted northeast, the scorching air spread across Central Asia, enveloping the region like a dome and leading to the record-breaking temperatures.