Recently, I came across a post in which it was snowing in Karbala. I was surprised to see whether this rare snowfall was really happening or a video made with artificial intelligence. And then I did some research on this video and found out that it was made in 2020. Iraq. The weather in Iraq is also similar to Pakistan. Hot in some areas, cold in others. Some places become very cold in Iraq, while others stay warm even in winter. Because of this, people in each region experience the seasons in their own way.
In the northern part of Iraq, especially in the Kurdistan Region, winter looks very different. Snowfall is common in the mountains and high areas. Cities like Sulaymaniyah and places around Erbil often get snow every winter. Sometimes the snow is heavy enough that snowplows are needed to clear the roads. These snowy scenes also attract many tourists who want to enjoy the cold weather and beautiful white mountains.
But the story changes when we move to central and southern Iraq. These areas have a much warmer climate. Places like Baghdad, Mosul (outside the far north), Karbala, and Basra rarely see snow. The temperature usually does not get cold enough for snowfall, and there is not enough moisture in the air for snow to form. Because of this, people living in these cities often grow up without ever seeing snow.
However, there was a surprising moment in February 2020. Baghdad experienced a rare snowfall. It was only the second major snow event in 100 years. The previous one happened in 2008. Many residents were amazed because, for most of them, it was their first time seeing snow fall in their own city.
Overall, Iraq’s weather is a mix of warm, hot, and sometimes snowy conditions depending on where you are. From snowy mountains in the north to warm deserts in the south, the country experiences all kinds of weather throughout the year.