Southern governorates hit 49°C as heat eases slightly

BAGHDAD — Maysan, Basra, Muthanna and Dhi Qar recorded 49°C on Friday, the highest temperatures in Iraq and two degrees below Basra’s peak on Wednesday, the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology said. Duhok was the coolest at 41°C.

Skies were clear and sunny nationwide. Conditions were hot to very hot during the day, particularly around midday, and relatively milder at night. Northwesterly winds ran at 10 to 20 km/h, strengthening at times to 35 km/h in eastern parts of central Iraq, with visibility good at 8 to 10 km.

Similar weather is expected through the weekend. Saturday should be generally clear with northwesterly winds picking up during the day in eastern parts of the center and north, and temperatures near Friday’s. Sunday is forecast to be clear across most of the country with occasional cloud in the south and little change in temperatures.