Iraq has a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. The climate is influenced by Iraq's location between the subtropical aridity of the Arabian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the Persian Gulf. January is the coldest month, with temperatures from 5°C to 10°C, and August is the hottest month with temperatures rising up to 30°C and more.
In most of the areas, summers are warm to hot with mostly sunshine, but high humidity on the southern coastal areas of the Persian Gulf. Daily Temperatures can be very hot; on some days temperatures can reach easily 45°C or more, especially in the Iraqi desert areas which causes a danger of heat exhaustion. Hot, dry desert winds can be very strong sometimes, and can cause violent sandstorms.
About 70 percent of the average rainfall in the country falls between November and March; June through August are often rainless. Rainfall varies from season to season and from year to year. Precipitation is sometimes concentrated in local, but violent storms, causing erosion and local flooding, especially in the winter months.
Required clothing:
Lightweight Cotton clothes are advised in the summer, with a sweater for cooler evenings, especially in the inland areas. waterproof mediumwear is recommended for the winter, and warmer clothing for the mountainous areas of northern Iraq.
Koeppen-Geiger classification:
Iraq can be divided in three different climate zones. The Climate of the Western and southwestern areas can be classified as BWh Climate; a hot, dry desert climate with annual average temperatures above 18°C. A small zone between the Persian Gulf the turkisch Border in the east of Iraq can be classified as BSh climate, a hot, dry Climate with the annual average Teperature above 18°C. Finally, the mountainous regions of northern Iraq can be classified as Dsa Climate, a cold snow Climate with dry summers and wet winters with the warmest month over 22°C and the coldest month below -3°C.
