Severe Polar Vortex to Hit Iraq This Winter

Iraq is bracing for an unusually harsh winter as meteorological forecasts indicate a powerful polar vortex set to sweep across the country in the coming weeks.

Weather data suggest that this expansive polar system, stretching from parts of Europe, Russia, and North America to the Middle East, will bring extremely cold air masses to Iraq during December and January, creating unstable and frigid conditions across much of the nation.

Experts warn that the vortex, described as “crowned” due to its intensity, will persist for several weeks. The northern regions of Iraq are expected to feel its impact first by late November, followed by the spread of Arctic air across central and southern provinces.

Climatological analyses indicate that some cores of the polar vortex are exceptionally deep, producing severe cold lows affecting Siberia, Russia, Eastern and Northeastern Europe, the Nordic countries, and Central Asia. These systems are expected to cause a significant and prolonged drop in temperatures, underscoring the importance of winter preparedness in Iraqi cities.

Locally, northern provinces are projected to be hardest hit. Recent readings show stark temperature contrasts, with daytime highs exceeding 30°C in Dhi Qar, while minimum temperatures in Nineveh, Diyala, and Sulaymaniyah hover around 8°C, reflecting the uneven effects of the incoming cold wave.

The polar cold snap is also expected to impact North America in the coming weeks, following a brief period of unusually warm temperatures, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this winter season.