MET warns of decreased visibility due to Saturday sandstorm

As Qatar transitions from a relatively hot week to a cooler one, strong winds from Saudi Arabia have kicked up a great deal of dust, resulting in a sandstorm.

According to the Qatar Meteorology Department, visibility has fallen to less than 2km in Doha, and less than 1km in other parts of the country.

Forecasters are also warning of increased respiratory complications for those who go outside, due to the dusty weather.

So far, a tweet from the MET with a prayer to ask God to protect people from the windy conditions has received more than 1,000 retweets in two hours:

دعاء الريح :

" اللهم إني أسألك خيرها وخير مافيها وخير ما أرسلت به وأعوذ بك من شرها وشر ما فيها وشر ما أرسلت به "

— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) February 21, 2015

The “unstable” weather is expected to persist throughout the day, and there is also a chance of scattered rains across Qatar.

Starting tomorrow, temperatures will fall and are expected to be 6-10C less than they were last week. According to the MET, the mercury will reach a high of 23C (73F) and a low of 12C (54F) over the next few days until Tuesday.

Here’s what some people in Doha are seeing so far:

https://twitter.com/cabreraeh/status/569019455289708544/