Basra hits 51°C as Erbil climbs to 49°C

BAGHDAD — Basra recorded 51°C on Wednesday, the highest temperature in Iraq, while Erbil reached 49°C — five degrees above what had been forecast for the city a day earlier and level with Baghdad, according to the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology.

Maysan and Dhi Qar recorded 50°C. Baghdad, Babil, Karbala, Diwaniyah, Najaf, Wasit, Muthanna and Erbil each reached 49°C, and Kirkuk, Nineveh and Anbar 46°C. Sulaymaniyah and Duhok were the coolest at 42°C.

Skies were sunny nationwide with intermittent cloud in parts of the center and south, and conditions relatively milder overnight. Northwesterly winds ran at 10 to 20 km/h with stronger gusts around midday in parts of central and southern Iraq, raising light dust in desert areas and along highways. Visibility was 8 to 10 km, dropping to 3 to 5 km in morning haze.

Similar heat is forecast for Thursday, with northwesterly winds strengthening to 40 km/h in parts of the center and south and the possibility of blowing dust. Temperatures should ease slightly on Friday, then hold over the weekend.