For the first time since May, Qatar’s capital may finally see some rain. According to the Qatar Meteorology Department, the country will begin witnessing “unstable weather” tonight that will last until the end of the week.
A new cold front will usher in clouds and scattered rain over most parts of the country on Monday and Tuesday. In a statement, the MET explained:
“This is because of the presence of cold air mass in the upper layers of the atmosphere on the North of the Arabian peninsula extended from Russia coincided with low pressure on the surface helps on rising the temperature.”
Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist for Al Jazeera English, has issued a similar forecast:
Expect a bit more cloud around in #Doha tomorrow..and there the chance of rain on Monday and Tuesday 🙂
— Steff Gaulter (@WeatherSteff) November 22, 2014
And this morning, a MET forecaster said that sprinklings of rain could already be seen in the north of Qatar:
ولله الحمد يرصد الآن رادار المطر أمطار خفيفة و متوسطة على المناطق الشمالية .. pic.twitter.com/ocmlWpL0pe
— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) November 23, 2014
Along with rain, wind speeds are expected to pick up, and the temperatures will fall slightly.
On Monday and Tuesday, the maximum will hover around 27C (81F) and the minimum will fall to 21C (70F) by nighttime.
Late last week, the Emir and several institutions performed traditional istisqa rain prayers.
The move followed in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who used to ask God for rain when it was lacking.
At this time last year, rains were so plentiful in Qatar that roads and malls flooded, and a rare weather waterspout was spotted in Ras Laffan.
It is not clear however how much precipitation is forecast this week.
Thoughts?
