Basra forecast to hit 51°C on Monday before temperatures ease

BAGHDAD — Maysan, Basra and Dhi Qar reached 50°C on Sunday, and Basra is forecast to climb to 51°C on Monday before a slight cooling begins on Tuesday, the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology said.

Baghdad, Karbala and Babil recorded 47°C on Sunday, with Wasit, Najaf, Diwaniyah and Muthanna at 48°C. In the north, Kirkuk reached 44°C, Nineveh 43°C, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah 41°C and Duhok 40°C. Winds were light to moderate northwesterlies at 10 to 20 km/h, with visibility of 8 to 10 km.

Maysan and Dhi Qar are expected to stay at 50°C on Monday and Baghdad at 47°C, with skies mostly clear, intermittent cloud in the north and centre and the chance of light scattered rain in isolated parts of the northwest.

Temperatures should fall slightly on Tuesday across the centre and south, with a smaller drop in the north, and continue easing on Wednesday, when stronger northwesterly winds in central and southern areas could raise local dust.