Turkey Weekend Weather: What to Expect in Istanbul, Bodrum, Fethiye and Antalya
Turkey is seeing a sharp change in weather this weekend as the recent spell of scorching heat gives way to cooler, wetter and windier conditions in many parts of the country.
For visitors and residents in Istanbul, Bodrum, Fethiye and Antalya, the weather will be quite different from the extreme heat experienced in recent days.
While some parts of Turkey are facing warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms, the popular coastal destinations will generally remain warmer, although conditions will be unsettled in places.
Istanbul: Rain and Cooler Temperatures
Istanbul will have a wet Saturday, with rain continuing during the daytime before becoming lighter towards the evening.
Temperatures are expected to remain around 24 to 25 degrees, but strong winds will make it feel cooler.
For anyone planning to explore Istanbul on Saturday, an umbrella or waterproof jacket would be useful, particularly during the daytime.
The weather is expected to improve on Sunday, with the Marmara region forecast to become clearer.
Bodrum: Warm but Windier
Bodrum will remain relatively warm, with temperatures reaching around 31 degrees.
However, strengthening northerly winds will make the weather feel noticeably cooler than in recent days.
The change will be particularly noticeable for anyone who has been in Bodrum during the recent period of intense summer heat.
There is no suggestion that Bodrum is heading into the kind of extreme rainfall expected in parts of the Black Sea region, but visitors should expect a much breezier day.
Fethiye: Cooler Conditions Around the Coast
Fethiye and the surrounding Muğla region will also experience the change in weather.
The wider Aegean region is expected to see stronger northerly winds, with temperatures feeling several degrees lower than they have recently.
Fethiye should remain considerably warmer than the northern and central parts of Turkey, but conditions may be less suitable for those expecting a completely calm and hot summer day.
For visitors planning boat trips, swimming or other outdoor activities, the stronger winds are likely to be more noticeable than the temperature itself.
Antalya: Still Hot, But Rain Is Possible
Antalya will remain one of the warmer parts of Turkey this weekend, with temperatures around 36 degrees.
However, the weather will not be uniformly sunny across the province.
Rain and thunderstorms are expected in parts of the Antalya region, particularly around Akseki and Alanya.
Further east along the Mediterranean coast, Adana, Mersin and Hatay are also expected to experience heavy thunderstorms and strong winds.
So although Antalya will remain hot, visitors should not assume that the entire region will have uninterrupted sunshine.
Where Is the Heaviest Rain Expected?
The most serious weather conditions are expected much further north, particularly in the central Black Sea region.
Samsun, Ordu and Giresun, together with northern parts of Amasya and Tokat, could receive between 25 and 60 kilograms of rain per square metre.
The heaviest rainfall is expected in eastern Samsun and western Ordu, where totals could reach between 51 and 100 kilograms per square metre.
Authorities are warning about possible flooding, waterlogging, lightning, landslides and disruption to transport.
These conditions are very different from what is expected in the main tourist destinations along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
What Does This Mean for Visitors?
The main message for visitors is that Turkey’s weather is changing quickly.
Istanbul will be wet and considerably cooler than the southern coast.
Bodrum will remain warm but windy.
Fethiye will also see stronger winds and a noticeable change from the recent heat.
Antalya will remain hot, although showers and thunderstorms are possible in parts of the region.
For anyone travelling around Turkey this weekend, checking the local forecast before setting out is particularly important. Conditions can vary dramatically between different regions of the country.
