Weather and Climate in Mosul
Here you will find Mosul’s live weather — temperature, feels-like, wind, UV and air quality — alongside an hourly outlook and a seven-day forecast. The guide below sets out how the seasons behave in this part of the Nineveh plains, where hot summers give way to cool, occasionally frosty winters.
Mosul has a hot semi-arid to hot desert climate, sitting at the meeting point of the Mesopotamian plain and the foothills to the north and east. Summers are long, hot and dry; winters are cool and bring the bulk of the year’s rain. Annual totals are higher than in central Iraq but well short of the mountains.
The upper Tigris valley and the higher latitude give Mosul a noticeably cooler winter than Baghdad, with frost a regular feature of cold nights. Typical daytime highs fall from the low 40s °C in midsummer to the low teens in January, and the wet season runs across the cooler months from autumn into spring.
Summer
Summer in Mosul is hot, dry and sun-dominated, with July and August highs in the low 40s °C and very little rain. The air is dry rather than humid, so the heat is more bearable than in the Gulf-influenced south, and nights cool off more than they do on the southern plains. As elsewhere in Iraq, the warm season brings spells of dust on the wind, particularly when the northwesterly flow strengthens.
Winter
Winters are cool and the wettest part of the year. Daytime highs sit in the low teens, while clear nights frequently bring frost — colder than Baghdad, reflecting Mosul’s northern position. Rain arrives in systems moving across the region from autumn through early spring, occasionally heavy, and the surrounding hills can see the odd dusting of snow in the coldest spells, though snow in the city itself is uncommon.
Spring & Autumn
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons on the Nineveh plains. Spring is mild and briefly green after the winter rains, though it is also the dustier shoulder as warm winds pick up; autumn cools steadily from the summer peak into a run of clear, comfortable days. Both are the ideal times to be in and around the city.
Rain Probability
Mosul’s rainfall is seasonal, concentrated from autumn through spring, with summers essentially dry. Totals are higher than central Iraq but the pattern is the same: a wet cool season and a long dry one. The hourly and seven-day panels above show the live chance of rain for the days ahead.
When winter fronts cross the region they can deliver sustained rain and occasionally heavier downpours. Because the surrounding country is largely open and dries hard in summer, the cool-season precipitation figures above are the best guide to whether wet weather is on the way.
Wind and Humidity
Winds in Mosul follow the broader regional pattern, with the northwesterly shamal the dominant warm-season influence and the main source of dust. Hazy, dust-affected days are most likely through the hotter months. The live wind speed, gusts and direction in the dashboard above update through the day.
Humidity is generally low, keeping the summer heat dry, and rises mainly with the winter rains. The dry air means the feels-like temperature tracks the actual reading fairly closely in summer, while winter wind chill on a cold, cloudy day can make it feel sharper than the thermometer suggests — so the dashboard tracks feels-like and gusts alongside the headline figure.
Planning around the weather
Mosul’s weather calls for straightforward seasonal planning. Summers need light, breathable clothing, sun protection and hydration, with the hottest hours best avoided. Winters are cooler than much of Iraq, so pack a warm layer for frosty nights, and keep an eye on the forecast for the wet, occasionally chilly spells that define the season.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable windows, with mild days and clearer air between the dust events. Whatever the season, the live conditions and seven-day forecast on this page update automatically, giving you a current view of Mosul’s weather before you plan your day.