Thundery and heavy rain is expected in the country over the weekend as a result of unstable weather conditions, the Qatar Met department has said.
Today, strong winds and high seas are likely in offshore areas due to thundershowers in some places by midday, and there is a chance of light rain in inshore areas as well, according to the weather office.
In a report issued yesterday, the Met department said latest weather prediction charts showed that the “state of atmospheric instability resulting from the extension of an upper-level low-pressure system” was expected to start affecting the country from tomorrow. Skies will gradually turn cloudy and there is a chance of scattered rain, which may become thundery at times in some areas.
The chances of rain would increase on Friday and Saturday, the report observed. Light to moderate rain is likely to cover most areas, becoming thundery and heavy at times over some areas. Unstable weather is expected to continue on Sunday and Monday with a chance of scattered rain.
The conditions will gradually stabilise by next Tuesday, according to the forecast.
The Met department has also issued a warning for offshore areas, noting that fresh to strong easterly winds are expected - along with strong winds and high waves - from tomorrow.
The weather office has urged people to be cautious and avoid sea activities during this period in view of the expected conditions.
Yesterday, light rain was reported from some places in the country, according to information available on the weather office’s social media channels.
For instance, the Met department tweeted in the afternoon that scattered, light rain had been detected over some central/southern areas and a thundery cell was present over offshore areas lying to the east. In an earlier tweet, the department said rain had been detected in offshore areas lying to the north and east of the country with waves rising to 7ft.
Meanwhile, today’s forecast says hazy and partly cloudy conditions are likely in offshore areas along with a chance of scattered rain, which may become thundery at times.
The wind speed in some of these areas may go up to 22 knots, with the sea level rising to 7ft during thundershowers, the Met department has said.
Hazy to misty conditions are expected in inshore areas in the early hours of the day, followed by a mild daytime and local cloud formation. There is a chance of light rain in these areas and it will be relatively cold by night.
A minimum temperature of 15C is expected in Abu Samra today, while in Doha it will be relatively higher at 22C. The maximum, on the other hand, will be 28C in Doha.


Emergency numbers for municipalities
With the weather office predicting rainfall in the country over the next few days, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) yesterday said the relevant emergency team had held a meeting to finalise preparations for the upcoming rainy spell. The MME also issued, on Twitter, a list of emergency numbers for all municipalities in Qatar to remove rainwater. Following are some of the numbers that can people can call whenever required: Doha Municipality – 50332521, 55396342, 55333253, 55906926, 44264888, 44264882, 44348867 and 44348869; Al Rayyan Municipality – 30526816, 30526818, 44266112 and 44264791; Al Wakrah Municipality – 55482183, 44264158 and 44264157; Umm Salal Municipality – 55552775 and 44264455; Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality – 55868313 and 44265050; Al Daayen Municipality – 55691712 and 44729643; and Al Shamal Municipality – 55077550, 55400888, 44264561 and 44264562. The MME has urged people not to hesitate to call these numbers in case they need help. The full list of numbers is available on the ministry’s Twitter account.
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