Iraq weather agency forecasts weekend heat rise, warns of dust in south on Monday

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Meteorological Authority said temperatures will rise across the country over the weekend, with clear skies forecast nationwide on Saturday and partly cloudy conditions in the eastern parts of the northern region. Winds are expected to blow from the northwest at light to moderate speeds, the agency said in a statement. On Sunday, weather will remain clear countrywide, with temperatures slightly higher than the previous day. Monday is expected to bring northwesterly winds reaching 40 kilometers per hour during daytime hours, raising dust in parts of the southern region, while central areas will see temperatures climb by a few degrees, the north will register readings close to Sunday's levels, and the south will see a slight increase. Tuesday's forecast calls for clear weather across the country, with partly cloudy skies in western parts of the central region. Temperatures in the central region are expected to remain near Monday's levels, slightly lower in the north and slightly higher in the south. The agency recorded Saturday's highest temperatures ranging between 41 and 47 degrees Celsius across the country.