Crushing heatwave setting records in the Middle East

An exceptionally hot air mass is breaking maximum temperature records in the Middle East this week, with the hottest weather yet to come for some areas.

A slow-moving upper-level ridge is allowing hot air to build and linger above the Arabian Peninsula this week, resulting in multiple days of intense and oppressive heat.

On Tuesday, the temperature reached 51.8C at Baghdad in Iraq, setting a new record for the city. There were also reports of higher temperatures in other parts of the Middle East during the first half of this week.

Forecast models suggest that temperature will edge above 50C in Iraq each day between Wednesday and Friday, with overnight minimums in the mid-30C range in some areas. The highest temperatures will occur in the country's east, where it could reach around 53C on Thursday. 

According to the World Meteorological Organisation, the highest temperature on record for the Asia region was 53.9C at Mitribah, Kuwait on July 21, 2016.

For contrast, Australia's hottest recorded temperature is 50.6C, measured at Oodnadatta, South Australia, in 1960.