Tunisia says 2026 summer hottest on record

Tunisia declared that 2026 was its hottest summer on record, according to the country's meteorological authority. The record-breaking heat was attributed to multiple heatwaves, water shortages, and power cuts experienced throughout the season. The National Meteorological Institute stated that the summer of 2026 was the hottest since 1950, the year temperature records began.

The average temperature during this summer was approximately 2.9°C higher than the previous record. While Tunisia is accustomed to extreme heat, this particular summer proved to be particularly grueling, with both July and August marked by intense and prolonged heatwaves. Scientists have linked these episodes to climate change. The persistent high nighttime temperatures also added to the severity of the summer.

The highest temperature recorded during this scorching season was 49.7°C, measured in the central city of Kairouan in mid-July.