Temperatures to reach 46 degrees in south as hot week continues

BAGHDAD — Iraq will stay hot to very hot through the coming week, with temperatures expected to climb to 46°C in the southern governorates of Basra, Maysan and Dhi Qar, the General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring said.

In its latest forecast issued Sunday, the authority said clear, sunny weather will prevail across most of the country, with some cloud over parts of the north. Temperatures are forecast to hold near current levels through Tuesday before rising slightly Wednesday.

Monday’s highs are expected in Basra, Maysan and Dhi Qar at 46°C. Diwaniyah, Muthanna and Najaf are forecast to reach 45°C, while Baghdad, Babil, Wasit, Karbala, Diyala and Salah al-Din are expected to hit 44°C. Kirkuk is forecast at 43°C, Nineveh and Anbar at 42°C, Erbil at 41°C, and Sulaymaniyah and Duhok at 39°C.

The authority said daytime conditions will stay hot to very hot, with milder temperatures in the early morning and overnight hours.

Light to moderate northwesterly winds of 10 to 20 km/h are expected across most areas. Winds could pick up in central and southern Iraq, reaching 30 km/h and stirring light dust, particularly in desert areas and along highways.

Visibility is expected to stay good at 8 to 10 km in most places but could fall to 5 to 7 km where dust develops.

The four-day outlook points to stable weather through Thursday, with sunny skies across central and southern Iraq and occasional cloud over the north. Temperatures should hold steady through Tuesday before edging higher from Wednesday.