Mercury to hit 47 C in the south as heat builds towards peak summer

BAGHDAD — Iraq faces more hot summer weather in the coming days, with highs of 47°C forecast in the southern governorates of Dhi Qar, Basra and Maysan, the General Authority for Meteorology said Tuesday.

Central Iraq will warm slightly from Monday, the authority said, while the north and south hold near their recent levels. Skies will stay clear, with hot to very hot conditions through the day, peaking around midday, and some relief overnight.

The rise is part of the seasonal climb toward Iraq’s peak heat in July and August, when southern temperatures regularly exceed 50°C.

Northwesterly winds of 20 to 30 km/h are expected to gust to 45 km/h in parts of the south and the western reaches of the central region, potentially stirring dust over desert and exposed roads, while the Kurdistan Region sees lighter winds.

Visibility is forecast at 8 to 10 km, dropping to 4 to 6 km where dust develops.