Heat Waves Continue in West Asia, South Asia, and North Africa

Since early May, persistent high temperatures have been recorded across large parts of West Asia, South Asia, and North Africa. The number of days with daily maximum temperatures exceeding 40°C has reached 10-15, with localized areas experiencing up to 20 days. In eastern Iraq, Pakistan, southwestern and eastern Iran, eastern Arabian Peninsula, and northern India, daily maximum temperatures have surpassed 45°C, with some localized areas exceeding 50°C.

Over the next ten days, under the influence of the subtropical high-pressure system, most parts of West Asia, South Asia, and North Africa are expected to endure high temperatures exceeding 40°C. Specifically, parts of the eastern Arabian Peninsula in Saudi Arabia, eastern Iraq, eastern and southwestern Iran, eastern and southern Pakistan, and northwestern India will face maximum temperatures surpassing 45°C, with localized areas in southwestern Iran potentially reaching temperatures above 50°C (Figures 1-2).

Figure 1: 500 hPa Geopotential Height (Contour Lines) and 850 hPa Wind Field (Wind Barbs) at 1200 UTC, May 23, 2025

Figure 2: Forecast of Maximum Temperatures from May 22 to 31, 2025 (Unit: °C)

Author: Xu Chengpeng                                 Reviewer: Guan Yue 

English reviewer:Wang Yi                                                                       Issue approver:Dai Kan