Year`s First Severe Heat Wave in Arabia

A blast of searing heat out of Africa's Sahara will thrust through theArabian Peninsula to the Mideast Gulf on Thursday. The outcome will bewidespread heat reaching at least 100 to 110 degrees over Saudi Arabia,southeastern Iraq, southern Iran and the smaller Gulf nations from Kuwait toOman. The heat, however, will be moderated right along the water. Highesttemperatures of between 110 and 115 degrees will be set over interior easternArabia.Sunday and Monday, a weak cold front will afford limited cooling and even afew thunderstorms as far south and east as Kuwait and southernmost Iraq.

Otherwise, the high heat will persist next week.

Severe summer heat normally becomes widespread and persistent over Arabiaduring May. The upcoming heat is thus earlier than usual by a few weeks.