Weather in Basrah

Basrah is in Iraq at 30.5°N. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a desert climate with almost no rain. Rain is a year that totals only 86 mm of rain. The wettest month is January at 21 mm; the driest is September at 0 mm.

July is the warmest month (average 39.0°C, high 47.0°C) and January is the coolest (average 12.5°C, low 6.3°C). From the coolest night in January (6.3°C) to the hottest afternoon in July (47.0°C), the raw range is 40.7°C. On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are March, April, and November.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are March, April, and November: March (20.6°C average, 8 mm, 38% humidity); April (26.2°C average, 8 mm, 31% humidity); November (20.1°C average, 13 mm, 44% humidity). They fall in calendar order. The score rewards averages near 22°C, lower rainfall, and humidity near 60%. It is a climate score, not a festival or price calendar.

If you prefer the hottest stretch, that is July. The coolest stretch is January.

Temperature through the year

The heat peaks in July, when the typical afternoon is 47.0°C. The opposite pole is January, when mornings average 6.3°C.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 34.1°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; July nights still hold 31.0°C.

Rainfall pattern

Basrah is dry. The whole year adds up to 86 mm. January is the “wet” month at 21 mm; September drops to 0 mm.

Humidity peaks near 58%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

What stands out month by month

The year bottoms out in January. Plan for 6.3°C at night and 18.7°C in the afternoon. In February, Basrah averages 21.8°C by day and 8.3°C at night, with 11 mm of rain. March: 28.0°C high, 13.1°C low, 8 mm rain, 38% humidity. April stands apart from the months beside it: 33.7°C / 18.6°C and 8 mm. May brings 2 mm and 1 rainy days; temperatures run from 24.9°C to 40.6°C. In June, Basrah averages 45.2°C by day and 28.7°C at night, with 1 mm of rain.

Peak heat arrives in July: 47.0°C by day, 31.0°C at night, and 14% humidity. August stands apart from the months beside it: 47.0°C / 30.7°C and 0 mm. September is the driest month, averaging only 0 mm across 0 rainy days. Highs sit near 43.2°C. October: 36.9°C high, 22.1°C low, 4 mm rain, 28% humidity. In November, Basrah averages 26.4°C by day and 13.9°C at night, with 13 mm of rain. December brings 16 mm and 3 rainy days; temperatures run from 8.1°C to 20.2°C.

Basrah and other cities in Iraq

Karbala is about 426 km away: Basrah is 2.6°C warmer than Karbala in its hottest month and a similar annual rainfall (120 mm in Karbala). Karbala’s wettest month is January (22 mm) versus January here.

Baghdad is about 448 km away: Basrah is 1.7°C warmer than Baghdad in its hottest month and 115 mm drier over the year than Baghdad. Baghdad’s wettest month is January (36 mm) versus January here.

Erbil is about 722 km away: Basrah is 3.7°C warmer than Erbil in its hottest month and 197 mm drier over the year than Erbil. Erbil’s wettest month is March (50 mm) versus January here.