Iraq is exposed to severe dust storms, particularly during the hot anddry summer months as a result of intensified winds. The hot deserts surrounding Iraq serve as a major source of these dust storms, most notably the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula—which include the Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali), the Nafud Desert, the Najd Plateau, and the Dahna Desert—as well as the Syrian Desert, the Sahara Desert in Africa, and the Iranian Desert. There are also internal sources, such as the Western Plateau, which is an extension of the Arabian Peninsula and covers the western regions of Iraq, constituting around 60% of the country’s total area. Additionally, desertified areas in the alluvial plain contribute to the problem.
The storms affecting Iraq result from several key factors:
- Surface wind speed.
- The flat nature of the land surface—especially the desert plateau—andthe size and cohesion of soil particles.
- The stability or instability of the atmosphere near the surface, whichinfluences wind turbulence.
- Lack of vegetation cover, particularly in western Iraq.
- The intensity and depth of low-pressure systems, especially duringwinter and spring, accompanied by strong winds.
- Overgrazing and the breakdown of the soil's protective crust.
The frequency of dust storms in Iraq has increasedsignificantly in recent years and continues to rise. This is particularly evident in recent years, which have seen more frequent dust events due to both natural and human factors. Dust storms have become a regular occurrence from the south and southwest of the Arabian Peninsula across various seasons, becoming a persistent reality. These storms have had negative impacts on Iraq’s environmental components, leaving adverse effects on all aspects of human activity. They also cause serious health issues, including cases of suffocation among citizens—especially those with chronic allergies, respiratory illnesses, and asthma.
Dust storms are a major manifestation of desertificationin Iraq, resulting from two main factors: first, climate change, which has directly caused a reduction in rainfall and shrinking green spaces, significantly impacting the environment and agricultural productivity. Additionally, prolonged and intensified droughts, along with shifts in seasonal patterns, have contributed to a reduction of agricultural yields by half.
The frequency of dust storms varies throughout the yearin Iraq, largely due to flat terrain and the lack of vegetation. These storms increase during the spring months (March, April, and May), due to the higher occurrence of low-pressure systems and cold fronts. Their frequency peaks in
summer, driven by the absence of rain, high temperatures, intense surface heating, and stronger north and northwesterly winds. The frequency decreases in autumn and winter due to cooler temperatures, rainfall, and lower wind speeds.
There are four main types of dust storms in Iraq:
- Summer Dust Storms: These occur from June to October due to lack of rainfall and vegetation, and the presence of the subtropical jet stream over latitudes 36°–40°N in July and August. These conditions increase surface wind speeds from the northwest, resulting in dust storms.
- Winter Dust Storms: These accompany Mediterranean low-pressure systems. Due to the rainfall during this season, these storms are less frequent and shorter in duration.
- Spring Dust Storms: These are the most frequent, intense, and widespread. They originate from low-pressure systems over the hot desert surfaces near the African coast and move eastward to affect Iraq.
- Dust Storms Caused by the Indian Monsoon: One key driver of recurring dust storms is the Indian Monsoon Low, which begins affecting Iraq from April to July. It brings dust storms from the Arabian Desert through the Western Plateau or from India to Iran and then Iraq.
Climate change is a fundamental factor in the increase of dust waves.According to statistics from Iraq’s General Authority for Meteorology and Seismology, the number of dusty days per year has risen from 243 to 272 over the span of two decades. It is expected to reach 300 days by the year 2050. Around 70% of Iraq’s agricultural land is either degraded or at risk of degradation due to climate change, which leads to the loss of vegetation cover—an essential factor in stabilizing the soil.
