July 2026 was Tunisia's second hottest July since 1950, national meteorological institute reports
July 2026 was the second hottest July recorded in Tunisia since 1950, surpassed only by July 2023, according to the monthly climate newsletter published by the National Institute of Meteorology INM on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The month experienced an exceptional heatwave across much of the country, with record daytime and nighttime temperatures. The national average temperature, based on 25 reference stations, was 31.7°C, which is 3.4°C higher than the reference average of 28.3°C. Several meteorological stations recorded exceptionally high maximum temperatures, including Kairouan at 49.7°C on July 17, Jendouba at 48.7°C on July 16, and Zaghouan at 48.6°C on July 17. The national average maximum temperature reached 38.8°C, exceeding the reference normal of 35°C by 3.8°C. Nighttime temperatures were also exceptionally high, with the national average minimum temperature at 24.6°C, 2.9°C above the reference average of 21.7°C. The highest minimum temperature was 36.9°C in Remada on July 27. The heatwave affected the entire country, with varying duration and intensity. Thala experienced the longest heatwave, lasting 12 days. July also saw a significant rainfall deficit, with total precipitation across 25 main stations at only 47.6 millimeters, representing 42.8% of the normal average of 111.3 millimeters, a deficit of 57.2%. Additionally, strong winds were recorded, with speeds reaching 108 km/h in Jendouba and 104.4 km/h in Thala. The INM defines a heatwave as a period where bot