Clear skies, dense fog expected Monday, rain chances later in week

BAGHDAD — Weather across Iraq on Monday is expected to remain relatively stable, ranging from clear to partly cloudy in most areas, with dense morning fog in several cities that could sharply reduce visibility before lifting later in the day, according to the General Authority for Meteorology and Seismology.

The authority said a humid pattern will extend over the coming days, bringing chances of light to moderate rainfall, especially in northern areas and in western parts of the country, alongside only slight temperature changes and generally light winds.

A forecast report from the authority’s prediction department said conditions Monday in central and northern areas will be “clear to partly cloudy,” while southern areas will be “partly cloudy to cloudy at times.” Light rain showers are possible overnight in western parts of the northern and southern regions.

The report said “moderate to dense fog” will form during morning hours in many parts of the country, except western sections, cutting visibility to less than 1 kilometer in some areas before improving toward midday.

Temperatures are expected to stay close to Sunday’s levels in central and northern areas, with a slight decrease in the south. Winds will be light and variable at 5 to 10 kilometers per hour with periods of calm, shifting overnight in western sections to light to moderate southeasterly winds of 10 to 20 kilometers per hour.

For Tuesday, the authority forecast “partly cloudy to cloudy” skies with light to moderate rainfall in northern areas and western sections of central and southern Iraq. Morning fog is also expected, then gradually clearing. Temperatures are forecast to hold steady in central and southern areas and dip slightly in the north, while visibility will range from 6 to 8 kilometers, decreasing during rain and fog.

Wednesday’s outlook calls for “partly cloudy to cloudy” conditions with scattered rainfall, particularly in central and southern areas. Winds will remain light and variable before shifting to northwesterly at light to moderate speeds. Temperatures are expected to drop by a few degrees in central and southern areas and rise slightly in the north.

By Thursday, the authority expects “partly cloudy to cloudy” weather with rain showers in southern areas, while western sections are forecast to turn clear. Winds will be moderate from the northwest, temperatures will be close to current levels in northern and southern areas and rise slightly in central areas, and visibility will range between 6 and 8 kilometers.