Iraq forecast to stay mostly clear midweek before rain returns by weekend

BAGHDAD — Iraq is forecast to see relatively stable weather on Wednesday and Thursday before conditions shift toward cloudier skies, rainfall and lower temperatures by the weekend, according to the General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring.

The authority said Wednesday’s weather will be “clear with some clouds appearing at times, especially in the northern region,” with “moderate fog” expected in parts of central Iraq and the eastern areas of the south before gradually dissipating. Temperatures are expected to remain close to Tuesday’s readings, with a slight rise in some locations.

Winds will be northwesterly and light to moderate at 10 to 20 kilometers per hour, with calm periods in the northern region and in western parts of the central and southern regions, the authority said. Visibility is generally expected to range from 8 to 10 kilometers, dropping to 3 to 5 kilometers in foggy areas.

For Thursday, the authority said conditions will remain mostly clear, becoming partly cloudy at night in the northern region and western parts of the central region. “Light fog will form in the morning in some open areas and gradually dissipate,” the report said. Winds will be light and variable, and temperatures will remain generally stable.

Weather is expected to shift on Friday as cloud cover increases and rain begins. The authority said “partly cloudy weather will gradually turn cloudy, with light to moderate rain in the northern region and the western parts of the central region during the daytime.” Rain is forecast to spread to other parts of the country overnight, with “heavy rainfall expected over the mountainous highlands of the northern region and a chance of light snowfall there.”

Winds on Friday will be northwesterly and light to moderate, becoming more active at times with speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour in central and southern regions, the authority said. Temperatures are expected to remain similar in the central and southern regions, while dropping slightly in the north. Visibility is forecast at 6 to 8 kilometers, decreasing to 2 to 4 kilometers during rainfall.

On Saturday, the authority said cloudy conditions will persist, with “the rain system beginning to recede toward the eastern parts of the country after noon.” Temperatures are expected to fall by a few degrees across most areas.

Conditions are forecast to improve on Sunday, with “partly cloudy and sometimes cloudy weather, turning clear at night with some clouds,” the authority said, adding that temperatures will remain similar in central and southern regions and rise slightly in the north.