Temperatures to hit 48°C in southern Iraq

BAGHDAD — Temperatures in Basra, Maysan and Muthanna are forecast to reach 48°C on Thursday, the highest in Iraq, the Iraqi Meteorological Organization said.

The agency forecast clear and sunny weather nationwide, very hot during the day and particularly around midday, with relatively warm nights. Sulaymaniyah is expected to record the country’s lowest daytime high at 40°C, with 47°C in Karbala, Najaf, Diwaniyah and Dhi Qar; 46°C in Baghdad, Babil, Wasit, Diyala, Salah al-Din and Kirkuk; 45°C in Nineveh and Anbar; 44°C in Erbil; and 42°C in Duhok.

Northwesterly winds in central and southern Iraq will blow at 20 to 30 km/h, gusting to 45 km/h in places and raising light dust in desert areas and along highways. Visibility is forecast at 8 to 10 km across most of the country, dropping to 5 to 7 km where dust develops.

The agency said temperatures should hold steady over the coming days, with a slight decrease forecast for Sunday.