Iraq’s Meteorological Authority has forecast a widespread dust storm set to affect most areas of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region beginning on the third day of Eid al-Adha, with conditions expected to continue for up to three days.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the authority said the dust wave is expected to begin on Friday, coinciding with the third day of the Eid holiday, and will impact large parts of the country, significantly reducing visibility in several regions.

The authority added that Thursday’s weather is expected to be partly cloudy across most areas, with temperatures rising slightly compared to previous days.

According to the forecast, Saturday — the final day of the Eid holiday — will see skies ranging from clear to partly cloudy, while wind speeds are expected to decrease to around 30 kilometers per hour.

Despite the reduction in wind speed, officials warned that the effects of the dust storm are likely to persist, particularly in southeastern parts of Iraq, where temperatures are expected to remain higher than in other regions.

Dust storms are a recurring challenge in Iraq, especially during late spring and summer, when dry conditions, desertification, low rainfall, and strong seasonal winds contribute to frequent dust waves.

In recent years, repeated dust storms have disrupted flights, reduced visibility on roads, forced temporary closures of airports and public institutions, and led to thousands of hospital admissions related to respiratory problems.

Iraq and the Kurdistan Region typically experience hotter and dustier weather during the Eid al-Adha period, which this year falls in early June, when temperatures across central and southern provinces often exceed seasonal averages.