Brace for more sandstorms
POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO DUST AND SCATTERED RAINFALL FORECAST TODAY AND TOMORROW
Unstable weather is expected to continue today and tomorrow with scattered rain
BY PAUL CROMPTON Staff Reporter R esidents woke up to a blanket of dust over most parts of the UAE yesterday, causing traffic jams due to low visibility and making life difficult for residents with respiratory problems.
The unstable weather is expected to continue today and tomorrow with the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) forecasting strong winds, low visibility and scattered rainfall over the next two days.
Swirling dust may reduce visibility to around a kilometre.
Yesterday’s unstable weather was caused by a trough, or extended area of relatively low atmospheric pressure, over the UAE, the forecaster added.
Early yesterday afternoon, temperatures hovered at an average of around 31 degrees. Temperatures were around 31.4 Celsius in Abu Dhabi city, while at Fujairah port the temperature was 26.6 Celsius.
The lowest temperature at 14.5 degrees Celsius was recorded at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah at 12.45am.
Temperatures are expected to fall between four to five degrees Celsius over the next two days, ending a spell of warm and sunny weather in the past several days, NCMS said.
Humidity is expected to peak at 70 to 90 per cent across coastal areas.
On social media yesterday, people posted pictures and warnings of dust storms over parts of Dubai and near Abu Dhabi’s airport. A weather chart by NCMS showed high humidity across the UAE, and patches of drizzle near Abu Dhabi city and the northern emirates.
The NCMS warned motorists to be prepared for poor visibility and the possibility of wet roads while residents have been asked to stay away from wadis due to the risk of flash floods.
Meanwhile, people out on boats should be aware of rough to very rough seas in both the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman. Winds from both the north and south east are expected to reach speeds of 25-35km/h, and will reach 45km/h during the day.
“We’re expecting the north westerly winds to affect all of the UAE by nightfall, and we’re expecting a gradual fall of temperatures for the next two days,” an NCMS forecaster said.