+52.6°C in Basrah, Iraq, August Record (Iran earlier +52.4°C in Ab Baksh)
Marek Kučera 
In August 2025 (9.8.2025), the city of Basrah in Iraq recorded a staggering 52.6 °C (126.7 °F), setting a new all-time August temperature record for the country. This extreme heat underscores the growing intensity of summer heatwaves across the Middle East, where some of the world’s highest temperatures regularly occur.
Earlier in the month (3.8.2025), Ab Baksh in Iran reported 52.4 °C (126.3 °F), marking one of the hottest August days in the region’s history. Both readings reflect the influence of a persistent subtropical heat dome dominating the eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf areas, characterized by clear skies, dry air, and intense solar heating.
Such extreme temperatures pose serious risks to public health, agriculture, and infrastructure. In Basrah and surrounding regions, the heat has led to increased cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, as well as disruptions to outdoor work and daily life. Energy demand surges as people rely heavily on cooling systems, while water resources are strained by prolonged drought conditions.
These temperature extremes highlight the accelerating effects of climate change in a region already vulnerable to high heat stress. Scientists warn that days exceeding 50 °C may become more frequent if global warming continues unchecked, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptation measures to protect human health and livelihoods.
Illustration picture: Kyang Thang X
Marek Sadowski 
