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.
Middle East: Water deficits continue on the Arabian Peninsula
Water deficits are forecast to become less severe from September through November in southern Turkey, the Levant, northern Saudi Arabia, and eastern Oman. However, the extent and severity of deficits will increase in southern Iraq, Iran, Qatar, and Yemen. The progression of water anomalies forecast in the Middle East indicates that widespread water deficits will persist through May, diminishing after October before becoming more severe again from March on.