Weather in Baghdad

Planning a trip or simply interested in the weather in Baghdad? Here you will find the most up-to-date information: current conditions, detailed forecasts, and clear charts to help you plan your day.

The climate of Baghdad can be characterised as subtropical desert, with a very hot, long, and dry summer and a short, mild winter. The city experiences significant seasonal temperature fluctuations, which is important to consider when planning a trip. Precipitation here is a rare phenomenon; most of it falls during the winter months, but even then, the amount is minimal.

The summer period, which lasts approximately from May to September, is distinguished by extremely high temperatures, often reaching and exceeding 40-45°C, especially in July and August. During this time, rain is practically absent, and the number of sunny days is at a maximum. Winters in Baghdad are comparatively mild, with average daytime temperatures around 12-18°C, although nights can be cool. It is the winter months, from December to February, that account for the main, though very scant, amount of precipitation. Spring and autumn are short transitional seasons with rapidly changing weather, offering more moderate temperatures before the onset of summer heat or winter chill.

The annual temperature range in Baghdad is quite significant, which is characteristic of a desert climate. The hottest months are traditionally July and August. During this period, the average temperature holds at around 38.5-38.6°C, and daytime highs regularly rise above 45°C, peaking at 45.6°C in July. The coolest time of the year is considered to be January, when the average temperature is 12.6°C. In January, night temperatures can drop to 7.3°C, while during the day the air warms up on average to 17.9°C.

The summer period in Baghdad, lasting from May to September, is characterised by intense and dry heat. Already in May, the average temperature exceeds 30°C. From June to August, daytime temperatures often range from 43°C to more than 45°C. Nights in the height of summer also remain very warm: minimum temperatures rarely drop below 29-31°C. Precipitation in the summer months is practically absent, which underscores the arid nature of the climate.

Winter in Baghdad, covering the months from December to February, offers significantly milder weather conditions. Average daytime temperatures in this season range from 17.9°C to 20.0°C, creating a pleasant coolness. Nights become noticeably colder, with minimum temperatures dropping to 7.3°C - 9.4°C, so warm clothes will be very useful. An important feature of Baghdad's climate is the significant daily temperature fluctuation throughout the year. The difference between maximum daytime and minimum nighttime temperatures often reaches 10-15°C, which is especially noticeable in the summer and transitional months.

Baghdad is characterised by an extremely arid climate, where precipitation is a rare and meager phenomenon. The city has a clearly defined dry season occupying most of the year, and a short period when the probability of rainfall is somewhat higher, predominantly in the winter and early spring months. However, even at this time, the amount of precipitation remains minimal.

The long dry season in Baghdad covers the period from May to October. The summer months – June, July, August, and September – are absolutely dry, when neither precipitation nor rainy days are recorded. In May and October, the situation is similar: the amount of precipitation is also 0 mm, although in May up to 2 days with insignificant, practically unmeasurable precipitation may be observed, and in October – one such day. This long dry period underscores the arid character of the city's climate.

A small amount of precipitation falls mainly from November to April. Relatively "wet" months, considering the general dryness, can be called January and February. In each of these months, an average of only 1 mm of precipitation falls, distributed over approximately 5 days. Similar extremely small volumes of precipitation (1 mm) are characteristic of March, April, November, and December, while the number of days with precipitation varies from 3 to 4. Falling precipitation is, as a rule, very light rain or drizzle. Snow is not typical for Baghdad.

When planning a trip to Baghdad, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly, considering the hot summer and mild winter. In summer, from May to September, when temperatures are extremely high, opt for light, loose clothing made of natural breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen. Do not forget headwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen with high SPF to protect against the scorching sun. During this period, precipitation is practically absent, so you are unlikely to need an umbrella.

In winter, from December to February, the weather in Baghdad becomes significantly cooler, especially in the evenings and mornings. It is recommended to take warmer clothes: sweaters, fleece tops, and a light jacket or coat. The principle of layering in clothing will be very handy, allowing you to adapt to temperature changes throughout the day. Although the amount of precipitation is minimal even in winter, a light waterproof jacket or a compact umbrella may be useful in case of rare rain. In the transitional seasons (March-April and October-November), the weather can be changeable, so it is also worth planning to combine light and warmer clothing.

Regardless of the time of year, comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking are a must-have for a traveller in Baghdad, as you will likely be walking a lot. It is also worth considering a light scarf or shawl, which may come in handy not only for protection from the sun or dust but also out of respect for local cultural traditions when visiting certain places.