Iraq: thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast from Friday through weekend

BAGHDAD — Iraq faces a wet weekend ahead, with the General Authority for Meteorology forecasting rain, lightning and thunder beginning Friday night and intensifying through Saturday and Sunday, with some areas of central Iraq expected to see heavy rainfall.

Thursday will be cloudy in central and southern regions and partly cloudy in the north, with northwesterly winds gusting to 40 km/h in the south and raising dust in some areas. Maximum temperatures will range from 21°C in Duhok to 32°C in Basra.

Friday will turn partly to fully cloudy in central and southern regions, with light to moderate rain in western areas overnight and temperatures rising a few degrees nationwide. Saturday will bring generally cloudy skies with moderate rain, lightning and thunder across the country, turning heavy in specific central areas at night. Southeasterly winds will reach 40 to 50 km/h, raising dust in central and southern areas. Sunday will see continued rain in northern and southern regions with moderate rainfall, and partly to fully cloudy skies in the centre with thundery rain in eastern parts, as temperatures drop a few degrees nationwide.