Istanbul Experiences Its Drifest Summer in 65 Years

According to data compiled from the General Directorate of Meteorology, the country's long-term average summer rainfall (1991-2020) was measured at 64 millimeters. This summer, Türkiye experienced 30 millimeters of precipitation, and last year, 58.4 millimeters.

Thus, summer rainfall in Türkiye was calculated to have decreased by 53 percent compared to the long-term average and by 49 percent compared to the same period last year. Rainfall this summer was below average in all regions and below last year's average. The Marmara and Black Sea regions saw 65 percent, the Mediterranean and Central Anatolia regions saw 17 percent, and the Aegean Region saw its lowest rainfall in 16 years.

Summer rainfall increased in places compared to normal in Denizli, the south and west of Muğla, and around Mersin and Karaman, while it decreased in all other areas.

The decrease exceeded 80% in the Marmara, Aegean, and Southeastern Anatolia regions, as well as much of the Western Black Sea region. While Trabzon received near-normal rainfall during the summer, all other provinces experienced a decrease compared to normal.

The provinces with the greatest decrease in rainfall compared to normal were Çanakkale (93%), Bilecik (92%), İzmir (91%), and İstanbul (90%). Summer rainfall reached its lowest level in 65 years in Amasya, Bartın, Bilecik, Bursa, Çanakkale, Düzce, Edirne, İstanbul, İzmir, Karabük, Kastamonu, Kocaeli, Malatya, Sakarya, Sinop, Tekirdağ, Yalova, and Zonguldak.

Dr. Güven Özdemir, a faculty member at Istanbul Aydın University, stated that Türkiye is generally under the influence of high pressure during the summer months, resulting in long periods of clear, hot weather. Özdemir noted that while there were occasional rainfalls locally, the overall situation was droughty. He added, “The Marmara Region received less rain than seasonal norms. In the Black Sea Region, especially in areas excluding the Eastern Black Sea region, there was a decrease in rainfall. The Mediterranean and Aegean regions, on the other hand, were quite dry.”