Iraq heat wave conditions will continue throughout the coming week, with temperatures expected to reach 46°C in several southern governorates. Meanwhile, weather officials have warned residents to prepare for extremely hot daytime conditions across much of the country.
The General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring released its latest weather forecast on Sunday. According to the authority, sunny skies will dominate most regions. However, parts of northern Iraq could experience occasional cloud cover.
Furthermore, forecasters expect temperatures to remain close to current levels through Tuesday. After that, temperatures will increase slightly beginning on Wednesday.
Southern Iraq will record the highest temperatures during the week. Basra, Maysan, and Dhi Qar are expected to reach highs of 46°C on Monday.
Meanwhile, Diwaniyah, Muthanna, and Najaf could experience temperatures of 45°C. In addition, Baghdad, Babil, Wasit, Karbala, Diyala, and Salah al-Din may see highs of 44°C.
Kirkuk will reach 43°C. Meanwhile, Nineveh and Anbar will record highs of 42°C.
Farther north, Erbil will see temperatures climb to 41°C. Meanwhile, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok will experience slightly cooler highs of around 39°C.
The authority also stated that daytime weather will remain hot to very hot across Iraq. However, temperatures will become more comfortable during the early morning and overnight hours.
In addition, northwesterly winds will blow across most regions. Wind speeds will range between 10 and 20 kilometers per hour under normal conditions.
However, stronger winds could affect central and southern Iraq. Those winds may reach speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour.
Consequently, blowing dust could develop in desert areas and along major highways. Drivers should remain cautious because reduced visibility may affect road conditions.
Officials expect visibility to remain between eight and ten kilometers across most locations. Nevertheless, dust could reduce visibility to between five and seven kilometers in affected areas.
The four-day forecast also points toward stable weather conditions through Thursday. Therefore, residents should expect continued sunshine across central and southern Iraq.
Meanwhile, northern governorates could continue seeing scattered clouds throughout the week. Despite those clouds, forecasters do not expect significant changes in weather conditions.
The Iraq heat wave will likely continue affecting daily life across many cities. Residents may need to limit outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours because of the extreme temperatures.
Authorities also encourage people to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. These precautions become increasingly important as temperatures continue rising later this week.
Overall, the Iraq heat wave shows no signs of easing before Thursday. Meteorologists will continue monitoring conditions and issue updated forecasts if weather patterns change.
