Iraq to stay hot and sunny with highs near 50 °C in the south

BAGHDAD — Iraq will remain under clear skies with little change in temperatures through Saturday, the General Authority for Meteorology and Seismology said Tuesday, forecasting highs of up to 50 °C in the southern governorates.

Wednesday’s highs are expected to reach 50 °C in Basra, 49 °C in Maysan and Dhi Qar, 48 °C in Karbala, Najaf and Muthanna, 47 °C in Baghdad, Wasit and Diwaniyah, 46 °C in Salah al-Din, Diyala and Babil, 44 °C in Nineveh and Anbar, 43 °C in Kirkuk, 42 °C in Erbil, and 40 °C in Duhok and Sulaymaniyah.

Conditions will stay sunny under the seasonal thermal low-pressure system, with temperatures close to current levels over the coming days.

Northwesterly winds of 20 to 30 km/h are expected, strengthening in the afternoon in parts of the central and southern governorates, particularly eastern areas, with gusts reaching about 50 km/h that could raise dust in desert areas and along highways. Horizontal visibility is forecast at 8 to 10 km, falling to 5 to 7 km where dust is present.

Similar weather is expected Thursday through Saturday, with sunny skies, light to moderate northwesterly winds and temperatures near this week’s levels.