Climate Insights for Kirkuk

The climate in Kirkuk is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 22°C and approximately 495mm of precipitation falls per year. March is the wettest month, receiving around 92mm of rainfall. Kirkuk is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 4°C.

Kirkuk has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 39°C from the coldest to warmest months. August is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 43°C and an average of 36°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 4°C and an average of 9°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 12°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 8°C shift in average temperatures.

Kirkuk is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 495mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 41mm per month. The wettest month is March, averaging 92mm of rainfall. February and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 0mm. That's 92mm less than March, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Kirkuk is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 16km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is June, averaging 18km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in December, with average winds dropping to 13km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 5km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 14km/h in winter, 16km/h in spring, 17km/h in summer, 15km/h in autumn.

It is currently spring in Kirkuk, which began on March 20, 2026. Kirkuk is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 43°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 4°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.

The best time to visit Kirkuk is during April, October and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 48mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 43°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 4°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Kirkuk based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.