Stormy weather to continue across Turkey, Middle East into 2019
Months of unusually stormy weather across parts of the Middle East will continue into the new year as a series of storm systems brings rain and snow to the region over the next seven to 10 days.
A storm is currently unloading rain and higher-elevation snow across Turkey with downpours from Syria to Israel and Jordan.
Downpours from this storm will also impact parts of Iraq and Iran through the day on Friday.
A weaker storm spreading from Turkey into the Middle East over the weekend will bring mountain snow and scattered showers with localized downpours.
A more vigorous storm will follow a similar track from Monday into Wednesday bringing widespread rain and higher elevation snowfall to Turkey and heavy rainfall to areas from Israel to western Syria.
Yet another storm will impact the same area from Friday into next week bringing further rain and snow. The repeated rounds of rainfall will create a high risk for flooding and also bring an elevated risk for mudslides to the region.
Areas that get multiple rounds of snowfall will endure significant travel disruptions.
The above graphic shows total precipitation across the region through Saturday, Jan. 5, according to the GFS model.
Total precipitation of 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) will be common across southern Turkey, western Syria, Lebanon and Israel with local amounts up to 150 mm (6 inches) by next weekend.
The above image shows total snowfall across the region through Saturday, Jan. 5. Locations across the higher terrain of eastern Turkey and northern Iraq will be at risk for 30-60 cm (12-24 inches) of snow with locally higher amounts in the highest elevations.
A short break in the storm weather is possible during the middle of January; however, no long duration dry spells are forecast across the Middle East in the next month.
Report a Typo
