Scorching temperatures in south-eastern Europe. - Initial temperature highs of 2023 observed in southeastern Europe.
Tourists are flocking to Southeast Europe's sun-parched destinations of Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey, making headlines with their sunbathing antics amidst unusually high temperatures. The heat in these regions is kicking earlier than ever before in the year, with Greece recording temperatures as high as 39 degrees in certain areas, a record not seen so early in June. According to the Greek Meteorological Service.
In response, the Cyprus Meteorological Department has issued an "Extreme Heat Warning," urging caution as dangers of temperatures up to 44 degrees loom over the island. It warns that the elderly and young children are most vulnerable to the harsh weather and emphasizes the need to follow the instructions of authorities. Health experts urge not participating in strenuous activities outdoors, drinking lots of fluids, and dressing in light, loose, and light-colored clothing.
The heatwave spreads to Turkey as well. The Meteorological Service there notes temperatures running at least 8-12 degrees warmer than the seasonal average - a trend that meteorologist Orhan Şen says any be a harbinger of extreme heat conditions moving into July and August.
The current weather conditions worsen existing concerns for forest fires, a worry amplified by last year's calamitous blazes in Greece that scorched vast swathes of its countryside. The Greek Fire Service has already tallied 3543 small to medium-sized forest fires from the start of the year, a 22% increase compared to the previous one. The coinciding very dry winter season exacerbates the danger of fires, whether caused accidentally or by arson, as the lack of moisture makes them more easily spread through the parched landscape.
