The forecast through September indicates that widespread water surpluses will persist from southeastern Turkey through northern Iraq into northwestern Iran and along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. Surpluses will remain intense, but conditions of both deficit and surplus are also forecast as transitions occur. Deficits are forecast for the southern Arabian Peninsula and will be especially intense in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia.
Middle East: Water surpluses will persist from Syria into Iran
The forecast through August 2019 indicates that, though some areas will begin to transition out of water surplus, widespread surpluses will persist from northern Syria into southern and eastern Turkey, from the Euphrates River in Iraq well into western Iran, and in northern Iran along the Caspian coast and the border with Turkmenistan. Deficits will increase in central Turkey and on the Arabian Peninsula and will include exceptional deficits in central Saudi Arabia.
Middle East: Water deficits forecast to increase in Saudi Arabia
The forecast through March indicates intense water deficits on the Arabian Peninsula and surpluses in eastern Turkey, northern Syria, the Euphrates and eastern Iraq, and western Iran. Intense deficits are forecast for Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s western and eastern thirds, and pockets of Oman. Extreme deficits will emerge in Qatar but deficits in United Arab Emirates will downgrade. In Iran, deficits will be severe to extreme in southern Yazd and Kerman into Sistan and Baluchistan.
Middle East: Intense water deficits to decrease overall, persist in Yemen
Water deficits are expected to shrink and downgrade through February though intense deficits are forecast for Yemen’s western and eastern thirds and severe deficits in Saudi Arabia’s large south-central region of Riyadh. Surpluses will persist in western Iran north of the Red Sea and across the border into Iraq and will remain intense. Surpluses are also forecast along Iran’s western Caspian Sea coast; north of Kirkuk, Iraq; and in eastern Turkey.
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.