Unsettled weather brings rain and cooler temperatures across Iraq in week ahead

BAGHDAD — Iraq is experiencing unsettled weather Tuesday, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies, scattered rainfall and falling temperatures, the General Authority for Meteorology said.

The central and northern regions will see partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, while the southern region will be partly cloudy with periods of clearing.

Light to moderate rain showers are expected in the north, at times accompanied by heavier bursts, lightning and thunder. Light, scattered showers are also possible in parts of the central and southern regions.

Temperatures will drop by several degrees across the country compared with Monday, with cold conditions continuing in the morning and at night and milder weather during the day.

Northwesterly winds will be moderate at 20 to 30 km/h, occasionally reaching 45 km/h and raising dust in desert areas. Southeasterly winds of 10 to 20 km/h are expected in the eastern parts of the southern region.

Visibility will range between 8 and 10 kilometers, decreasing in the morning due to mist and during dust episodes to between 4 and 6 kilometers.

Wednesday: Clear in the central and south, partly cloudy in the north with a chance of light rain over mountainous areas in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Temperatures similar in the central and northern regions, slightly lower in the south. Visibility 6 to 8 kilometers, dropping to 4 to 6 in rainy areas.

Thursday: Clear in the central and south, partly cloudy in the north with a chance of light showers over mountainous areas of Duhok. Southeasterly winds becoming more active in western areas during the afternoon, raising dust that will spread across most central and northern regions. Temperatures rise slightly in the central and south, similar in the north. Visibility 6 to 8 kilometers, dropping to 4 to 6 in rain and dust, and below 1 kilometer in heavily dusty areas.

Friday: Partly cloudy to cloudy in the north with scattered light rain. Northwesterly winds, light to moderate. Temperatures drop several degrees in the central and north, slightly in the south. Visibility 6 to 8 kilometers, dropping to 4 to 6 in rain.