Najaf reaches 46 C as summer heat continues to grip Iraq

BAGHDAD — Najaf reached 46°C on Friday, the highest in Iraq, with 17 governorates in the 40s and only Sulaymaniyah below at 38°C, the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology said.

Diyala, Maysan, Diwaniyah, Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Basra reached 45°C, Baghdad and Karbala 44°C, and Kirkuk, Anbar, Salah al-Din and Wasit 43°C. Nineveh was at 42°C, Erbil 41°C and Duhok 40°C. Skies were generally clear with cloud over the northern mountains, and winds light to moderate northwesterly at 10 to 20 km/h, easing overnight, with visibility of 8 to 10 km falling to 5 to 7 km at night in haze.

Najaf and Basra are forecast at 46°C on Saturday with Baghdad, Karbala, Diwaniyah, Maysan, Dhi Qar and Muthanna at 45°C, and Sulaymaniyah again coolest at 38°C. Scattered rain is possible in the north on Sunday, with temperatures rising slightly nationwide before easing in the centre and north on Monday.