The Middle East is bracing for another intense heatwave set to grip the region from May 17, with temperatures likely to surpass 50°C (122°F), Iranian state media reported on May 15.

Iran's Meteorological Organisation has issued a rare alert, announcing the arrival of a significant mass of hot air from May 17. By mid-next week, temperatures will be significantly above the seasonal average across the region as the hotter periods push forward into spring. 

According to US satellite monitoring data, the report indicates that an extensive heat dome is predicted to form above the Persian Gulf, making temperature spikes past the 50°C (122°F) mark across the region.

The organisation issued a clear warning regarding the severity of the impending heat. Given the widespread and substantial temperature increases forecast for the coming week, it has stressed the critical importance of using electricity and water resources efficiently.

Iraq's Meteorological Authority published a detailed report on weather forecasts and the coming days across the country, according to the report, the effects of atmospheric instability will continue to have an impact on the country's weather, with partly cloudy conditions expected across all cities, along with periods of clear skies in some areas and chances of light thundershowers in scattered areas of Nineveh, Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. 

Most areas will be affected by dust waves ranging from mild to moderate intensity, increasing in western and southwestern regions. Temperatures will remain similar to yesterday's readings, with a slight decrease expected in southern areas.

This bout of extreme heat arrives just before the final month of spring and ahead of Iran's typically hot summer season. It also coincides with Iran and Iraq grappling with an ongoing energy crisis, as electricity consumption spikes due to the increased demand for air conditioning and cooling systems.

To manage power consumption, the governments have been implementing scheduled power outages while pushing solar power projects across the different regions.

Many regional cities are currently facing water shortages due to prolonged drought conditions and challenges in resource management. The impending heatwave is likely to exacerbate these existing pressures on essential utilities.

The impending heatwave comes as Tehran and the surrounding area were hit with a dust storm originating in Saudi Arabia, Javan Online reported on May 15.

According to the latest forecasts from the weather organisation, a vast area of southwestern, western, northwestern and central Iran will face severe dust phenomena.

This dust system, with its main source from the desert region of Saudi Arabia, is entering the country through western-northwestern currents and will profoundly impact air quality and living conditions for residents in these areas.

It is estimated that the concentration of suspended particles less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) in many metropolitan areas and border cities, including Ahvaz, Ilam, Kermanshah, Sanandaj, and Tehran, will exceed 500 units on the Air Quality Index (AQI), indicating an "emergency" and "very dangerous" situation for public health.

In 2024, meteorologist Colin McCarthy reported that the region set a heat index temperature record of 82.2°C (180°F) and a dew point of 36.1°C (97°F), which, if confirmed, would be the highest such readings ever recorded on Earth, meteorologists said on August 28.

A heat index, also known as the "feels like" temperature, combines air temperature and humidity to estimate how hot it actually feels to the human body.

The 2025 heatwave season appears to be arriving much earlier than 2024, where a record 50°C (122°F) was logged in August.

The heat has caused a series of electricity failures across the region as people prepare to make the most significant movement for the annual Arba'een pilgrimage in Iraq.