Another heavy dust storm is expected to hit Qatar tonight, according to local meteorologists.
The combination of strong winds (up to 74km/hour) and poor visibility has the Ministry of Interior cautioning residents to stay indoors if possible:
Northwesterly wind with speed up to 40 KT per hour to affect most parts of the country. #MoI_Qatar
— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) April 24, 2015
Dust storm expected to affect different parts the country by 7 to 8 pm. All are advised to return from sea and other trips at the earliest
— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) April 24, 2015
The inclement weather is the latest in a series of sandstorms that have hit Qatar over the past month, some of them causing health problems and flight and school cancellations.
Speaking to Doha News, Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist for Al Jazeera English, said the worst of the sandstorm should pass tonight, but that it will still be dusty tomorrow.
According to the Qatar Meteorology Department (MET), the storm moved toward Qatar from Saudi Arabia:
بدء تØرك الكتلة الغبارية من وسط وشمال السعودية ،ومن المتوقع أن تؤثر على معظم المناطق خلال الساعات القادمة. pic.twitter.com/hcZxaVwqna
— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) April 24, 2015
In a statement, the MET added that visibility may drop below 2km in some places, with sandy conditions persisting until Monday.
What are your seeing in your part of town? Thoughts?
