With reporting from Peter Kovessy
Strong winds in Qatar today are causing dust to swirl and decreasing visibility, prompting the country’s meteorology department to urge caution while outdoors.
🔴Attention
Fresh southerly winds in Qatar with raised dust in some areas. Visibility dropped to <1km in Alkhor & Dukhan now.
Plz be careful.— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) November 10, 2015
Earlier this week, the MET warned that a “state of atmospheric instability” would affect Qatar from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday morning.
It cited an “extension of Sudan’s heat low over the region accompanied by the passage of a low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere” as the reason for the weather.
Those conditions will create winds of up to 22 knots (41km/hour) today, and an increase in temperatures to 34C (four degrees higher than the average), the MET said in a statement.
Speaking to Doha News, Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist at Al Jazeera English, said that the “tail end” of a weather system is currently heading over Qatar.
She continued:
“It will make things quite windy in Doha and the dust will reduce visibility,” which “is a sandstorm in my book!”
The MET added that conditions are expected to clear up tonight:
Fresh southerly dust raising winds expected to continue during daytime and would decrease gradually by evening. pic.twitter.com/TS5CDCRLJK
— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) November 10, 2015
Wednesday
However, the stronger winds are expected to lead to a sharp drop in temperatures tomorrow, with the high falling to 25-28C, and the lows ranging between 20-23C in Doha, the forecaster said.
There’s also a chance of isolated thundershowers on Wednesday.
The MET concluded:
“Qatar Meteorology Department urges all to be cautious during thunderstorm as they might be accompanied by gusts of strong winds causing dust to rise and rough sea conditions taking into consideration the offshore warning extends from Tuesday until next Monday (Nov. 16).”
What are you seeing outside? Thoughts?
