Thunderstorms forecast for Tuesday before dust, falling temperatures close out week

BAGHDAD — Northern and central Iraq will see thunderstorms Tuesday before dust waves and falling temperatures move in toward the end of the week, the General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring said.

Monday will be mostly clear with scattered cloud, partly cloudy in northern areas with chances of light rain in northern and eastern districts. Temperatures will rise 2 to 4°C compared with Sunday, making for relatively hot daytime conditions. Northwesterly winds of 10–20 km/h will bring light dust to western areas. Visibility will be 8–10 km, dropping to 5–7 km in dusty conditions.

Tuesday will turn partly to fully cloudy in northern and central regions with chances of light to moderate thunderstorms in scattered locations. The south will remain partly cloudy. Winds will shift to northwesterly at 20–30 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h in parts of central and southern Iraq and raising light dust. Temperatures will remain close to Monday’s levels.

Wednesday will improve, with mostly clear skies and scattered cloud across most cities. Northwesterly winds will become more active in central and southern areas, causing localized dust. Visibility will drop to 3–5 km in affected areas.

Thursday will be partly to fully cloudy in central and northern regions and mostly clear in the south, with temperatures beginning to fall in northern and central areas.

Friday will bring partly to fully cloudy skies nationwide, with chances of intermittent rain in parts of central and northern Iraq. Northwesterly winds will intensify, causing moderate dust storms in central and southern regions, with visibility potentially falling to 2–4 km. Temperatures will continue declining in northern and central areas.