Iraq forecasts thunderstorms, rain and dust through Saturday

BAGHDAD — Iraq is expected to experience several days of rainfall, occasional thunderstorms and rising dust through Saturday, with temperatures declining across much of the country, the Iraqi Meteorological Authority said Tuesday, Nov. 3.

According to a statement , Wednesday’s weather will be cloudy, with light rain showers and occasional thunderstorms in scattered areas. Temperatures are expected to remain close to Monday’s levels, while visibility will generally range between 8 and 10 kilometers, dropping to 5–7 kilometers during rainfall.

Forecast highs for Wednesday will reach 29 degrees Celsius in Baghdad, 24 in Erbil, 22 in Sulaymaniyah and Duhok, 25 in Nineveh and Kirkuk, 27 in Anbar, and 28 in Salah Al-Din and Diyala.

Temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees in Wasit, Babil, Karbala, Diwaniyah and Najaf, 31 in Muthanna, 32 in Maysan, and 33 in Dhi Qar and Basra.

On Thursday, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions will continue, with light to moderate rain showers expected in scattered parts of the country. Southeasterly winds will be light to moderate but could strengthen in eastern parts of central and southern Iraq, raising localized dust.

Temperatures are forecast to decline across the country, with visibility remaining between 8 and 10 kilometers under normal conditions and falling to 5–7 kilometers in areas affected by rain or dust.

Friday will bring generally cloudy skies, with light rain showers across central and northern Iraq and occasional thunderstorms. Southern areas may also experience scattered light rainfall, while temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged.

Similar conditions are forecast for Saturday, with light rain and occasional thunderstorms in central and northern governorates and a chance of showers in southern Iraq.

Southeasterly winds are expected to strengthen again in eastern parts of central and southern Iraq, potentially causing localized dust. Temperatures will remain relatively stable in central and southern governorates but decline slightly in the north.

Visibility on Saturday is expected to range between 8 and 10 kilometers, falling to 5–7 kilometers during rainfall or dusty conditions.