Heat wave in Iraq to ease starting Wednesday, forecaster says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A heat wave affecting Iraq for days will end on Wednesday, weather observer Ali Jaber Ziyadi said, with temperatures in southern cities reaching as high as 50 degrees Celsius in recent days. Ziyadi said Tuesday would be the final day of the current heat wave and that a moderate air mass moving in from the north would bring temperatures down across the country starting Wednesday. Northern winds would return conditions to typical summer levels, he added. Daytime temperatures in central and southern Iraq are expected to range between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius, according to Ziyadi, who said the more moderate conditions were likely to continue through the end of the first week of July.