Summer heat to continue across Iraq as strong winds raise dust risk

BAGHDAD — Sunny weather will prevail across Iraq on Tuesday, with temperatures remaining close to Monday’s levels in the south and rising slightly in central and northern areas, while strong northwesterly winds are expected to generate dust on desert roads and other exposed areas, the General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring said.

The authority said daytime conditions would remain intensely hot, particularly around midday, with relatively milder weather during the late night and early morning hours. Temperatures are expected to remain similar to Monday’s readings in the southern region while increasing slightly in central and northern Iraq.

Northwesterly winds are forecast to blow at 20 to 30 kilometers per hour, strengthening during the day across central and southern Iraq to as much as 45 km/h. Stronger winds are expected to lift light to moderate dust, particularly in desert areas and along external roads.

Horizontal visibility is expected to range from 8 to 10 kilometers under normal conditions but could fall to between 4 and 6 kilometers in areas affected by dust.

Tuesday’s highest temperatures are forecast to reach 48 degrees Celsius in Maysan governorate; 47 degrees in Diyala, Salah Al-Din, Wasit, Dhi Qar and Basra governorates; and 46 degrees in Baghdad, Babil, Karbala, Najaf, Muthanna, Diwaniyah and Nineveh governorates. Erbil and Anbar are expected to reach 44 degrees, while Sulaymaniyah and Duhok are forecast to record highs of 42 degrees.

Weather pattern is expected to remain stable through Friday, with sunny conditions continuing across the country. Northwesterly winds of 10 to 20 km/h are forecast during the period, while temperatures are expected to rise slightly on Wednesday in central and southern Iraq before remaining near the previous day’s levels on Thursday and Friday. Visibility is forecast to remain generally between 8 and 10 kilometers.