Where In The World Is Algore?

Is it possible he's in Baghdad?

So, yes, not only did it snow in Iraq, but it snowed in the very heart of Iraq--Baghdad and a wide area to the north and west. It may not be unusual in the western deserts, which are significantly higher (and thus inherently colder) than the low alluvial plain (`Mesopotamia`) that lies at the heart of Iraq. I understand that TV and Internet media have shown clear confirmation to this effect. I have email stating that a snowman was made in Balad. Farther south and east (to the Gulf and to the foot of the Zagros Mountains), the storm has yielded a cold or chilly rain.


The focus for the winter snow is shifting out of Arabia and into Iran with snow breaking out widely in the west and north as I write. It has begun as of Friday afternoon in Tehran. It looks as though the primary path for substantial snow will leave northeastern Iran for southeastern Turkmenistan, southeastern Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and northern Afghanistan.


The plains of western Turkistan (central Asia) will stay unusually cold for at least a few more days. This will lead to more `sea-effect` snow off the southwestern Caspian Sea. Friday, heavy snow has once again hammered Bandar-e Anzali, Iran, where there may be as much as one meter (essentially three feet) of snow on the ground. Water equivalent of this latest snow was 1.8 inches (45 mm) within twelve hours. Southeastern Azerbaijan will be prone to sea-effect snow as well.


In western Arabia, the region of Tihamat Ash Sham, there have been soaking thunderstorms, some in Jeddah and Makkah. Indeed, we have data showing 61 mm (2.6 inches) at Makkah. This must be roughly the normal rainfall for one year in this part of Arabia!