Iraqi meteorological agency forecasts temperature drop starting Tuesday

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Meteorological Organization said temperatures would begin falling across the country starting Tuesday, after weeks of high summer heat. The agency forecast clear weather nationwide on Tuesday, with partial cloud cover expected in western parts of the central region. According to its daily outlook, temperatures in central and northern areas would decrease slightly while the south would remain near levels recorded the previous day. Wednesday's weather is also expected to be clear, with northwesterly winds of moderate speed in parts of the central and southern regions reaching up to 40 kilometers per hour and likely to raise dust. The agency said Wednesday's temperatures would be close to the previous day's readings in the north and slightly lower in central and southern Iraq. On Thursday, winds in central and southern areas are again expected to lift dust, with temperatures rising in central and northern regions and edging down in the south. Friday's weather is forecast to be clear across the country, with temperatures rising slightly from the previous day. The organization said Tuesday's highs would range between 37 and 48 degrees Celsius.