Geography
Iraq's mainly continental climate brings a wide range
of temperature, with hot summers, particularly in the south, and cold winters,
especially on the higher ground. In the mountainous region of the north,
summers can be a little cooler and humidity is lower than in the south.
During the winter months (October to April) snow often falls on the mountains.
In the central areas of Iraq, summers are much hotter, with temperatures
in Baghdad rising to about 92°F in July and August. It is known for
temperatures to soar as high as 123°F in this region. Winter in Baghdad
brings a mean temperature of about 49°F. Temperatures in Basra range
from 98.6°F in summer to 57.2°F in winter. Dust storms are an unpleasant
feature of the central plains region. Baghdad has very little to no rainfall
every year.