Climate for Station: Kut-Al-Hai, Wasit Governorate, Iraq

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Climate Analysis & Overview

The climate profile of Kut-Al-Hai reveals a complex interplay of warming and cooling trends, with a notable increase in temperature extremes and a shift towards more concentrated precipitation events. These changes underscore the broader climate dynamics affecting Iraq and its regional climate goals.

Geographical Context and Climate Classification

Located at 32.17°N, 46.05°E, Kut-Al-Hai falls under the Köppen climate classification of BWh, indicating a hot desert climate. This region is characterised by extremely high temperatures in the summer and mild winters. The Euphrates River, which flows nearby, provides a modicum of moisture to an otherwise arid landscape, impacting local microclimates and contributing to occasional variability in temperature and precipitation patterns.

Temperature Trends: A Dichotomy of Extremes

Over the past decade, Kut-Al-Hai has experienced contrasting temperature trends. The highs have shown a cooling trend of -0.27°C (-0.49°F), while the lows have risen by 0.90°C (1.62°F). This divergence suggests a narrowing of the diurnal temperature range, potentially affecting local agriculture and energy consumption patterns. The all-time trends, however, indicate a warming pattern with highs increasing by 0.19°C (0.34°F) and lows by 0.43°C (0.77°F). This long-term warming aligns with Iraq's broader climate challenges, as the nation seeks to mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures.

Record Temperatures: Extremes in Focus

Kut-Al-Hai's temperature records are marked by significant extremes, with a maximum of 52.89°C (127.20°F) and a minimum of -5.01°C (22.98°F). These records highlight the region's susceptibility to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense as global temperatures rise. Such extremes pose challenges to infrastructure and public health, necessitating adaptive strategies to cope with heatwaves and cold spells.

Precipitation Patterns: A Shift Towards Concentration

The Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) for Kut-Al-Hai has increased from a baseline of 25.90 to a current value of 27.58. This rise indicates a shift towards more concentrated precipitation events, where rainfall occurs in fewer, more intense bursts. Such changes can lead to increased risk of flooding and soil erosion, impacting agriculture and water management in the region. The PCI value above 20 suggests highly concentrated precipitation, necessitating improved infrastructure to manage these intense rainfall events.

Regional Climate Goals and Implications

Iraq's regional climate goals focus on adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change, with particular emphasis on managing water resources and reducing vulnerability to extreme weather. The trends observed in Kut-Al-Hai, including the warming lows and concentrated precipitation, highlight the urgency of these goals. As the nation grapples with these challenges, understanding localised climate dynamics becomes crucial for effective policy-making and sustainable development.

Station Statistics

10-Year Trend

High: -0.26 °C/decade

Low: +0.90 °C/decade

Rain: -0.03 mm/decade

25-Year Trend

High: -0.11 °C/decade

Low: +0.94 °C/decade

Rain: -0.14 mm/decade

50-Year Trend

High: +0.05 °C/decade

Low: +0.47 °C/decade

Rain: +0.04 mm/decade

All-Time Trend

High: +0.19 °C/decade

Low: +0.43 °C/decade

Rain: +0.03 mm/decade

Percentage Above-Average Days

Last 12 Months: 52.1%

This Year: 74.1%

Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) ℹ️

Last 12 Months: 35.6

Historical Average: 27.2

Percentile Rank of Last 12 Months ℹ️

High: 19th percentile

Low: 97th percentile

Rain: 20th percentile

Change in Variance ℹ️

High: +1.8%

Low: -1.1%

Intraday: +15.5%

Data Coverage

73.6%

First Year of Data

1949

Station Location

Historical Weather Records

Max HighAvg HighMin HighMax AvgAvg AvgMin AvgMax LowAvg LowMin LowMax PrecipitationAvg PrecipitationMax SnowAvg Snow
Record52.9 °C5.6 °C45.0 °C-1.3 °C39.9 °C-5.0 °C53.8 mm
January28.8 °C17.7 °C5.6 °C20.6 °C11.3 °C-1.3 °C16.1 °C5.6 °C-5.0 °C53.8 mm0.9 mm
February33.2 °C20.5 °C6.8 °C24.4 °C13.7 °C2.9 °C17.6 °C7.2 °C-3.8 °C39.6 mm0.8 mm
March42.4 °C25.5 °C12.0 °C32.1 °C18.2 °C6.7 °C22.1 °C11.1 °C-2.3 °C40.0 mm0.8 mm
April43.4 °C32.5 °C16.3 °C35.0 °C24.7 °C11.9 °C29.0 °C17.1 °C3.0 °C30.7 mm0.5 mm
May50.0 °C39.0 °C25.1 °C41.7 °C31.2 °C20.2 °C32.5 °C23.1 °C12.6 °C32.1 mm0.2 mm
June51.4 °C44.0 °C33.0 °C43.4 °C36.0 °C26.1 °C36.1 °C27.4 °C18.9 °C1.7 mm0.0 mm
July52.9 °C46.1 °C38.0 °C45.0 °C38.1 °C29.8 °C39.9 °C29.7 °C21.0 °C15.0 mm0.0 mm
August52.0 °C46.1 °C37.8 °C44.3 °C37.6 °C27.5 °C38.1 °C29.3 °C19.2 °C5.7 mm0.0 mm
September50.2 °C42.6 °C31.7 °C42.9 °C34.0 °C23.2 °C35.2 °C25.6 °C16.1 °C6.3 mm0.0 mm
October45.0 °C35.8 °C22.3 °C36.8 °C27.5 °C14.0 °C29.6 °C20.3 °C8.9 °C38.3 mm0.3 mm
November36.5 °C25.9 °C12.2 °C29.0 °C18.8 °C7.1 °C22.9 °C12.8 °C0.5 °C46.1 mm0.8 mm
December30.2 °C19.4 °C6.5 °C22.2 °C13.0 °C2.9 °C17.5 °C7.5 °C-3.6 °C51.9 mm0.8 mm

Data Visualisations

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Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical

Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Max Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Min Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Average Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Rainfall this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Relative Humidity this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Max Wind Gusts this Year

Max Temperature this Year | 1 of 6

Climate 12-Month Moving Averages

Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Max Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Min Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Average Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Rainfall 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Relative Humidity 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Peak Wind Gust 12-Month MA

Max Temperature 12-Month MA | 1 of 6

Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year

Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Max Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Min Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Relative Humidity Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Peak Wind Gust Throughout Year

Average Max Temperature Throughout Year | 1 of 5