Middle East

Middle East: Water deficits in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

Middle East: Water deficits in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

The extent of exceptional water deficits in the region is expected to nearly disappear March through May, but moderate to severe deficits are forecast for the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey. Deficits are also forecast for Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, southern Iraq, and coastal Georgia. Surpluses are forecast in Iran from the central Persian Gulf inland to the center of Kerman Province. From June through August the extent and severity of deficits will increase throughout much of the region, particularly on the Arabian Peninsula.

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.