Ahad Vazifeh said temperatures will continue to decline and cold conditions will prevail nationwide through the week’s end. He added that by the latter days of the week, parts of western Iran and the central Zagros foothills are expected to see increased cloud cover, gusty winds and occasional rain and snowfall.

He said rough and unsettled seas are forecast over the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea over the next three days, with similar conditions expected in the Sea of Oman on Thursday.

Vazifeh said precipitation will also continue Friday in the northwest, west, the Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges, and parts of the northeast. While the rainfall will not end the prolonged drought of recent years, he said it will partially ease precipitation shortages.

He noted that winter precipitation is expected to remain near normal levels, as previously forecast. Vazifeh added that a marked temperature drop is expected in the coming days, with temperatures in most parts of the country — including Tehran — falling below freezing on Wednesday and Thursday, underscoring the need for energy conservation.