Northern Iraq dips to 39 C as south stays at 50 C

BAGHDAD — Temperatures in northern Iraq fell as low as 39 C (102 F) in Duhok on Wednesday, while three southern governorates stayed at 50 C (122 F), highlighting a sharp temperature gap across the country as summer heat continued.

The General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring forecast highs of 50 C in Dhi Qar, Muthanna and Diwaniyah. Maysan and Basra were forecast at 49 C, along with Wasit in central Iraq.

Duhok recorded the country’s mildest conditions at 39 C, followed by Sulaymaniyah at 41 C and Erbil at 43 C. Nineveh was forecast at 44 C and Kirkuk at 45 C.

Baghdad was forecast to stay at 48 C, the same maximum expected in Karbala, Babil and Najaf. Salah Al-Din was forecast at 46 C, Diyala at 47 C and Anbar at 44 C.

The authority said temperatures would remain close to Tuesday’s levels across the country, with hot to extremely hot conditions during daytime hours, particularly around midday. Conditions are expected to become relatively milder in the early morning and at night.

Skies will generally remain clear, with clouds appearing intermittently over scattered areas and increasing at night, bringing partly cloudy conditions in some locations.

Light to moderate northwesterly winds of 10-20 kph (6-12 mph) are expected, while eastern parts of the northern and southern regions could experience periods of calm winds. Visibility is forecast at 8-10 kilometers (5-6 miles) across most of the country.

Temperatures are expected to remain high Thursday, with Dhi Qar again forecast at 50 C and Maysan, Wasit and Diwaniyah at 49 C. Baghdad is expected to ease slightly to 47 C, while Duhok is forecast to remain at 39 C.