Iraq’s heat holds through Monday with dust in places

BAGHDAD — Iraq faces stable, mostly clear weather through Monday, with temperatures holding at their current highs and light dust in several areas as northwesterly winds pick up at times, the Iraqi Meteorological Organization said.

Friday’s highs range from 40°C in Duhok and Sulaymaniyah to 48°C in Maysan and Basra, with Baghdad at 45°C, and the south bearing the worst of it: Dhi Qar 47°C, Najaf, Diwaniyah and Muthanna 46°C. Skies stay clear across most of the country, with winds light in the north and moderate northwesterly in the center and south, freshening by day to raise light dust. Visibility should hold at 8 to 10 km, dropping to 5 to 7 km where dust develops.

Little changes over the weekend, the authority said: Saturday clear and near Friday’s levels, Sunday mostly clear with some cloud in the far north. By Monday the northwesterly winds strengthen in eastern parts of the center and south, gusting to 40 km/h and stirring more dust.