Preliminary details on the effects of a very cold and harsh polar air mass on Iraq in the last week of February 2025

Arab Weather - The outputs of the numerical models received at the Arab Weather Center indicate the rush of a very cold air mass of polar origin starting from Saturday, February 22, 2025, centered over Iraq, but with a continental source and generally weak atmospheric activity except for the northern regions.

Temperatures are expected to drop sharply and noticeably to be much lower than their averages, and the weather on Saturday will be very cold in northern and western Iraq, cold in the central regions including the capital Baghdad, and moderate in the far southern regions that are still far from the effects of the cold winds on Saturday.

Coinciding with the appearance of clouds at different altitudes, showers of rain are expected to fall on random areas in the form of intermittent showers of snow over the northern mountainous heights. The opportunity is also available during the evening and night hours of Saturday for showers of rain mixed with snow or intermittent showers of snow over some western areas.

Sharp drop in temperatures on Saturday/Sunday night

The effect of the very cold air mass deepens on Saturday/Sunday night, so temperatures drop sharply in all regions, to be below zero degrees Celsius in the northern and western regions, and around 5 degrees in the capital, Baghdad. The weather will be cold to very cold in all regions, with the possibility of frost formation and freezing in the northern and western regions.

Clouds continue to appear at different altitudes, and there is still a chance of rain and snow showers in parts of the far north of Iraq and the western regions.

The cold air mass is centered over Iraq, Sunday 2/23/2025

On Sunday, the effect of the very cold air mass will deepen and center over Iraq, and temperatures will drop further and the weather will be very cold in most areas, with clouds appearing at different altitudes, and the opportunity remains available for showers of rain and snow to fall in the far northern regions.

With the deepening of the effect of a very cold air mass on Sunday/Monday night, night temperatures are expected to drop further to be around below zero degrees Celsius in the western and northern regions and around 4 degrees Celsius in the capital, Baghdad, with an increase in the chances of frost formation and severe freezing, including agricultural areas, especially in northern and western Iraq.

Moderate to active northwesterly winds are expected to blow, accompanied by strong gusts that will stir up dust and increase dust levels in many areas.

Important recommendations from Arab Weather:

Beware of the danger of severe cold weather and its effect on crops and livestock.

Wear heavy winter clothing.

Beware of the danger of high levels of dust in the atmosphere and its effect on patients with respiratory and eye diseases.

And God knows best.