Iraq Braces for Extreme Summer Temperatures Exceeding 50°C

Planet Scurity

Sand storm in one of the areas in Iraq.

The Iraqi Meteorological Organization has warned that Iraq is expected to experience an exceptionally harsh summer, with temperatures potentially exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some regions.

The organisation’s media director, Amer al-Jabri, told Iraq's state media (INA) that weather patterns in Iraq are shaped by seasonal atmospheric pressure systems, with summers typically characterised by intense heat, particularly in central and southern areas during June, July, and August, with temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius or even more than 50. He noted that while conditions are generally dry and clear, periods of severe heatwaves remain common.

Al-Jabri added that, although the past winter saw rainfall and a drop in temperatures, the coming summer is expected to be one of the harshest seasons, affected by climate change and several other factors, including greenhouse gas emissions, the depletion of water bodies and vegetation cover, the loss of the green belt, and the erosion of agricultural lands—factors that persist each year.

He further explained that the organisation utilises modern forecasting technologies, including meteorological stations, satellites, radar systems, numerical models, and selected artificial intelligence tools. However, he emphasised that human expertise remains central to weather forecasting operations.

He also stressed the need for continued development and modernisation of Iraq’s meteorological infrastructure in order to improve forecasting accuracy and better respond to the challenges posed by climate change and increasing weather instability.

Iraq is grappling with an increasingly harsh summer climate, with temperatures often exceeding 50°C, a situation worsened by declining rainfall, accelerating desertification, and frequent dust storms.

The United Nations classifies Iraq among the world’s five most climate-vulnerable countries, underscoring the severity of its environmental challenges.

Widespread desertification has contributed to the growing occurrence of dust storms across the country, making them a regular feature in recent years.

According to government data, Iraq experiences more than 200 dusty days annually, with projections suggesting this figure could rise to 300 days by 2050 unless urgent and effective climate action is taken.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reported that forested areas in Iraq now cover only 8,250 square kilometres, representing approximately 2% of the country’s total territory.

Its 2025 study further indicated that around 90% of Iraq lies within arid and semi-arid climate zones, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 50°C. The report also noted a decline in rainfall, estimated at between 5–15 cm, contributing to worsening environmental conditions across the country.



PUKMEDIA