Iraq temperatures to approach 47°C, with cooler weekend ahead

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Meteorological Authority has forecast a countrywide temperature swing over the coming days, with Thursday bringing partly cloudy conditions in the north and clear skies across central and southern regions. Winds are expected to blow lightly to moderately from the northwest. Temperatures are projected to remain near Wednesday's levels in the north and center, with a slight rise in the south. For Thursday, the authority projected 45°C in Baghdad, Diyala, Saladin, Wasit, Karbala and Diwaniyah, 42°C in Mosul, 41°C in Erbil, 39°C in Sulaymaniyah, 44°C in Anbar and Kirkuk, 46°C in Najaf, Samawah, Babylon and Basra, and 47°C in Maysan and Dhi Qar. Friday and Saturday are expected to bring a slight countrywide drop in temperatures, with clear skies and occasional partly cloudy spells. From Sunday, central regions are forecast to warm again, while the north and south are expected to stay close to previous-day levels.