Iraq forecast to see hotter conditions through weekend

BAGHDAD — Iraq will experience sunny weather and a gradual rise in temperatures through the end of the week, with hot conditions expected on Friday and Saturday, according to a forecast issued Tuesday by the Iraqi Meteorological Organization.

The agency said Wednesday’s weather will be clear across the country, with light and variable winds in the northern region and moderate northwesterly winds in central and southern areas. Localized light dust is expected in some locations, while visibility will generally range between 8 and 10 kilometers, dropping to between 5 and 7 kilometers in dusty areas.

Temperatures are forecast to increase slightly nationwide on Wednesday. The highest temperatures are expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius in Najaf, Salah al-Din, Dhi Qar, Maysan and Basra governorates. Baghdad, Diyala, Karbala, Babil, Diwaniyah and Muthanna are forecast to record highs of 43 C.

Other expected highs include 42 C in Kirkuk, Anbar and Wasit, 41 C in Nineveh, 40 C in Erbil, 39 C in Sulaymaniyah and 38 C in Duhok.

The meteorological agency said Thursday will remain generally clear, with some cloud cover expected in the northern region. Temperatures are forecast to rise slightly again.

Hot and sunny weather is expected to continue on Friday and Saturday, with another slight increase in temperatures across the country, according to the forecast.

In its daily bulletin for Tuesday, the agency reported sunny conditions in central and southern Iraq, with scattered clouds in northern areas and a chance of light thunderstorms over mountainous areas north of Erbil and Duhok. It also noted moderate northwesterly winds and localized dust in desert areas and on some roads outside urban centers.