Tunisia Records Unprecedented 37°C to 0°C Temperature Drop in Under 48 Hours

Sudden Climatic Shift Grips Tunisia

Tunisia has recently been subjected to an extraordinary and rapid climatic transformation, as temperatures plunged from a high of 37°C on October 26 to a range of 0-3°C in under 48 hours. This abrupt thermal shift, described as an 'exceptional Tunisian climatic oscillation' by Hussein Rahili, an expert in development and water resources, marks a phenomenon not witnessed in the country for 33 years.

Expert Analysis and Broader Context

The dramatic temperature drop has drawn significant attention from climate experts. Rahili noted that this event occurred during a period when October 2025 was globally recognized as the hottest in over 50 years. Environmental and climate expert Adel Hentati further contextualized the event, explaining that the Mediterranean basin, including North Africa, is currently under the influence of intense polar air masses moving southward from the Arctic. These cold air masses, after traversing the warmer Atlantic Ocean, clash with existing Saharan air masses, leading to significant cooling and heavy rainfall. Hentati highlighted a similar, though less extreme, recent event where temperatures dropped by approximately 12°C in 24 hours, emphasizing that Tunisia is experiencing a 'new climatic reality' with increasingly irregular weather patterns.

Immediate Impacts and Future Concerns

The immediate consequences of this severe cold snap included expectations of continued temperature declines and potentially heavy rains. Authorities in Aïn Draham responded by suspending classes due to snow and adverse weather conditions. The event underscores Tunisia's heightened vulnerability to climate change, which manifests through:

• Rising temperatures and increased aridity
• Reduced precipitation and water scarcity
• Changes in precipitation patterns
• Rising sea levels affecting coastal zones

The average annual temperature in Tunisia has already increased by approximately 1.4°C since 1901, with a notable rise of 0.37°C per decade over the past 30 years. Experts warn that such rapid thermal contrasts contribute to more frequent extreme weather events, posing significant challenges to agriculture, water resources, and overall socio-economic stability.