Dust and thunderstorms possible in western Iraq as temperatures rise

BAGHDAD — Light thunderstorms are possible in western Iraq on Wednesday, with stronger winds there raising dust, while temperatures rise by several degrees in the center and north, the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology said.

Skies will be partly cloudy to overcast over central and northern governorates and mostly clear in the south, where temperatures will hold steady. Days will be warm to hot, with cooler nights and early mornings.

Winds will be light at 5 to 10 km/h, strengthening to 20 to 30 km/h in the west, where they could stir up dust. Visibility will be 8 to 10 km, falling to 5 to 7 km in the west.

Scattered rain and occasional thunderstorms are forecast for the center and north on Thursday and Friday, with the south mostly clear. Winds could reach 35 km/h on Thursday, raising dust in some areas. Saturday will bring partly cloudy skies and isolated light showers nationwide, with temperatures dipping slightly. On Sunday, temperatures will hold steady in the center and south and fall slightly in the north.