Middle East

Middle East: Water deficits diminish overall but persist in Yemen

Middle East: Water deficits diminish overall but persist in Yemen

The overall progression of water anomalies forecast through October 2017 indicates that widespread water deficits will persist throughout the Middle East, first diminishing in severity through April – with a significant reduction in the extent of exceptional deficits – before increasing in both extent and severity thereafter, particularly on the Arabian Peninsula, southern Iraq, and Iran. 

Middle East: Water deficits forecast for the Arabian Peninsula & Iran

Middle East: Water deficits forecast for the Arabian Peninsula & Iran

The overall progression of water anomalies forecast through September 2017 indicates that widespread water deficits will persist throughout the Middle East, first diminishing in severity through March – with a significant reduction in the extent of exceptional deficits – before increasing in both extent and severity thereafter, particularly on the Arabian Peninsula and in southern Iraq. 

Middle East: Widespread water deficits of varying severity

Middle East: Widespread water deficits of varying severity

The overall progression of water anomalies forecast through August 2017 indicates that widespread water deficits will persist throughout the Middle East, first diminishing in severity through February – with a significant reduction in the extent of exceptional deficits – before increasing in both extent and severity thereafter. Extreme deficits are forecast for southern Oman from March through May. 

Middle East: Water deficits to persist, though less severe

Middle East: Water deficits to persist, though less severe

The overall progression of water anomalies forecast through July indicates that widespread water deficits will persist throughout the Middle East but these deficits are expected to be less severe from November through April than in the prior three months. However, after April the forecast shows the severity level increasing, especially on the Arabian Peninsula.

Middle East: Water deficits persist, esp Syria, Iraq west of Euphrates, & SW Yemen

Middle East: Water deficits persist, esp Syria, Iraq west of Euphrates, & SW Yemen

Widespread water deficits are forecast to persist throughout the Middle East, but the severity of deficits will diminish October through December and continue to diminish through March. Exceptional deficits are, however, forecast for southwestern Yemen through December. Moderate to severe deficits will emerge in northern and eastern Turkey, and moderate deficits will emerge nearby in northwest Iran. Severe deficits are forecast for Syria and for Iraq from the Euphrates west.