Istanbul residents have been advised to stay indoors on Wednesday July 23 due to expected extreme heat.

A meteorology expert issued a stark warning ahead of anticipated record-breaking temperatures.

Orhan Sen, a faculty member at Istanbul Technical University’s Department of Meteorology,  also called on Istanbul governor Davut Gul to adjust working hours to mitigate the impact of the dangerous temperatures.

Turkey is experiencing a severe heatwave, with authorities using planes and helicopters to water-bomb wildfires that continue to ignite across much of the country. Temperatures in Istanbul’s southern districts were forecast to reach as high as 40°C.

Sen emphasised the risks of heatstroke. He urged vulnerable groups in the megacity of more than 16mn, especially the elderly and children, to avoid going outside.

“This will be the hottest day [experienced] in Istanbul,” Sen said on social media.

“Due to the urban heat island effect, extreme temperatures will persist until the end of the workday. Tonight [July 22 through to July 23] will also be the hottest night, with lows around 27°C. Tomorrow, temperatures in southern districts may break records, reaching 38-40°C. Do not go outside,” he warned.

He appealed to Gul to consider shifting work hours to earlier in the day to help residents avoid the worst of the heat. “If our governor adjusts the working schedule, we can get through this without it turning into a disaster,” Sen added.

Warnings were issued for other cities and also provinces in Turkey. Ankara, Izmir and Antalya were among locations placed on alert.

Turkey’s top Mediterranean coast tourist destination Antalya is also experiencing an intense heatwave. Temperatures are soaring well above seasonal norms. 

Temperatures recorded in the city have hit as high as 44.4°C. Weather forecasts advise July 25 could see Antalya highs of 45°C, potentially matching the city's all-time July record set in 2020.

The mercury in the city centre registered 37.5°C, but high humidity levels—exceeding 50%— significantly increased the perceived heat.

City streets emptied during peak hours due to the oppressive heat. Experts urged people to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.