Peak summer heat expected to break with Basra forecast at 46°C

BAGHDAD — Temperatures across Iraq will fall sharply by Thursday, with Basra and Maysan forecast at 46°C, four degrees below Monday, and no governorate expected to reach 47°C for the first time since late July, the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology said.

Dhi Qar and Muthanna are forecast at 45°C on Thursday, Baghdad, Salah al-Din, Wasit, Diwaniyah and Najaf at 44°C, Nineveh, Babil and Karbala at 43°C and Anbar at 42°C. In the north, Erbil is expected to reach 41°C and Sulaymaniyah and Duhok 37°C.

Skies will stay mostly clear, with hot to extremely hot conditions during the day and relatively milder early mornings and nights. Northwesterly winds are forecast at 20 to 30 km/h, gusting to 45 km/h in eastern parts of the centre and south, which could raise light dust in desert areas and on roads outside cities.