Turkey: Warmer November sign of things to come?

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - In November temperatures in Turkey were 2.6 degrees Celsius above average, and this trend is set to continue into mid-2020, according to state officials and meteorology experts.

"For many years the average temperature in November was 8.9 C [48.02 F], but in 2019 it was 11.5 C [52.7 F]," said the Turkish State Meteorological Service.

Huseyin Toros, an expert on atmospheric science and air quality at Istanbul Technical University, confirmed that Turkey is seeing a warm fall.

Estimated temperatures through May 2020 are expected to be above the seasonal norm, he added, citing data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, an independent intergovernmental organization supported by 34 states.

"When the temperature averages in September, October, and November 2019 are compared with long-term averages (1981-2010), we can see an obvious temperature difference," Toros said.

Calling last month’s warmer period across Turkey "unusual," Toros said there are oscillations in the natural structure of the climate and an rise in the number and severity of meteorological events.

"Increases in the number and severity of extreme meteorological events can be considered both as a result of unplanned land use and climate change," he explained.