Rain, thunder and dust storms forecast for Qatar today and Monday

With reporting by Peter Kovessy

Thunderstorms, rain and strong winds could hit Qatar later today and tomorrow, according to the state’s Meteorology Department (MET), although the country will escape the ravages of Hurricane Chapala.

In addition to the rain, “sudden strong winds” could bring with them dust storms that will lead to reduced visibility, the MET added in a warning on Twitter this afternoon:

🔴Attention
Thunderrain in central Qatar may be accompanied by strong dust raising winds that could reduce visibility pic.twitter.com/4H1mnrECCU

— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) November 1, 2015

In a more detailed forecast for today on its website, the MET said clouds would increase by this afternoon. Temperatures are predicted to hit a high of 33C in Doha, while just 29C in Dukhan in the west.

The forecast remains similar for tomorrow, with Doha set to be slightly cooler, as the mercury is expected to drop to 31C.

Despite the warning, some residents expressed delight at the relatively rare prospect of precipitation:

When in the desert…drizzles and droplets bring a lot of smiles and ecstatic cheering in the car #Doha #Qatar pic.twitter.com/SAC3yIzxtk

— Osama Bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid) November 1, 2015

Hurricane escape

The rain and cooler weather is not connected to Hurricane Chapala, which is is the second strongest cyclone on record in the Arabian Sea, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.

Yemen and Oman are set to take the brunt of its force, with public beaches in the Omani district of Salala closed and the Oman Metereology Department forecasting rough seas with waves 10 meters high and winds speeds of 60 km/h.

Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist for Al Jazeera English, told Doha News that Qatar faces a chance of rain today as a weakening system is working its way towards us from Kuwait, Iran and Iraq.

With dark clouds gathering over Doha, she added: “We could have the odd shower today but tomorrow is more likely. But it’s nothing like Yemen is going to get.”