The National Meteorological Institute of Tunisia reported that August 2026 was the country's hottest month since 1950. The average daily temperature reached 32.3°C, a 3.4% increase from the normal average of 28.9°C. This extreme weather condition is part of a prolonged heatwave that has been affecting the country. The Institute's monthly climate bulletin for August 2026 revealed that the heatwave impacted most regions of Tunisia.
The heatwave that occurred in August 2026 was characterized by its geographical extent, persistence, and high thermal intensity. The period of extreme heat began in the third week of August and continued until the end of the month, affecting most parts of the country. According to the National Meteorological Institute, the highest temperature recorded during the month was 43.5°C in Tozeur, while the lowest was 20.6°C in El Kef.
The National Meteorological Institute also reported that the average maximum temperature across the country was 39°C, which is higher than the reference average of 35.3°C for the same period. This represents an increase of 3.7°C. The lowest temperatures ranged from 20.6°C in El Kef to 30.5°C in Tozeur, with a national average of 25.5°C, which is 3°C higher than the reference average.
Rainfall in August 2026 was significantly lower than usual, with a total of 168.7 mm recorded across 26 main weather stations. This represents a 47.3% decrease from the normal average of 320.4 mm. The spatial distribution of rainfall showed significant variations, with the highest amounts recorded in Tala (42 mm), Kasserine (39.8 mm), and Siliana (29.3 mm).
In contrast, several regions in the north, including Bizerte, Tunis, and Mahdia, recorded little to no rainfall during the month. The wind speed varied across different regions, with Tala recording the highest speed of 136.8 km/h, followed by Jendouba (100.8 km/h), Siliana (97.2 km/h), and Kairouan (93.6 km/h).
Several weather stations recorded high wind speeds exceeding 60 km/h, with a high frequency of windy days in the central and western regions. Tala recorded the highest number of windy days (9 days), followed by Siliana (7 days), Kairouan (6 days), and Jendouba (4 days).
The extreme weather conditions in August 2026 had a significant impact on the country's climate and weather patterns. The National Meteorological Institute's report highlights the need for continued monitoring and analysis of climate trends in Tunisia.
Key points
- August 2026 was the hottest month in Tunisia since 1950, with an average daily temperature of 32.3°C.
- The heatwave that occurred in August 2026 was characterized by its geographical extent, persistence, and high thermal intensity.
- Rainfall in August 2026 was significantly lower than usual, with a total of 168.7 mm recorded across 26 main weather stations.
