In a statement given on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, to Tunisie Numérique, climate expert Adel Hentati stated that the current climate situation in the Mediterranean is marked by an unusual rise in temperatures—both in the air and in the sea—compared to typical seasonal averages.
High Evaporation and Elevated Humidity
Hentati explains that this temperature increase leads to significant evaporation of seawater, accompanied by a very high humidity level, ranging between 75% and 80%.
Heavy Rainfall Caused by Clashing Air Masses
He notes that these climate disruptions, when coming into contact with cold air masses from the poles, trigger intense and short-lived precipitation. He adds that this phenomenon is not new in Tunisia, where rain showers in July are often observed in years with above-average rainfall.
Tropical Atmospheric Pressure and Storm Clouds in Nabeul
The specialist attributes these disturbances to changes in air movement, particularly when high tropical atmospheric pressure remains over North Africa and the southern Mediterranean for extended periods. What’s new this year, he says, is the significant increase in sea surface temperatures, which favors the formation of storm clouds—like those recently seen in the governorate of Nabeul.
The Mediterranean: A Basin More Vulnerable to Warming
Hentati stresses that climate change has become a global reality, but its effects are more pronounced in the Mediterranean. As a semi-enclosed sea stretching from east to west, any warming in this region has a greater impact on key climate elements such as humidity and wind patterns. He also notes that these changes are difficult to predict with precision, which complicates adaptation mechanisms.
A Direct Threat to Marine Biodiversity
Among the most concerning consequences of these climatic changes, the expert points to the migration of certain fish species toward the Atlantic Ocean in search of more suitable environments. He warns that this phenomenon poses a direct threat to the Mediterranean’s fishery resources—a vital livelihood for many coastal communities.
