Strong winds are expected in most parts of the country today along with poor visibility in some places due to dust, the Qatar Met department has said.
This comes after visibility dropped sharply yesterday as Doha and other areas experienced dusty conditions.
The weather office, as well as the Ministry of Interior (MoI) warned people to exercise caution in the prevailing circumstances.
In a tweet yesterday evening, the Met department said the “mass of dust” affecting Qatar was expected to cross the country late at night. Slight to blowing dust, though, is likely to continue today with warnings of strong winds both inshore and offshore. “Please avoid all marine activities,” the department said.
In another tweet, the weather office said yesterday afternoon that visibility had dropped below 1.5km in Dukhan and Al Shehaimiya due to dust, and these conditions were expected to affect other areas over the next few hours.
Urging people to avoid direct contact with dust, especially the elderly and asthma patients, the Met department re-issued an advisory, prepared in co-ordination with the Ministry of Public Health, on how to stay safe during dusty
conditions.
The MoI, too, noted that low visibility had been reported from some areas due to dusty conditions. “Motorists are urged to exercise caution and not hesitate to stop the vehicle by the roadside, away from the carriageway, if visibility becomes very low. Have a safe drive,” it tweeted.
Meanwhile, today’s forecast says northwesterly winds will blow at 12-22 knots inshore, going up to 27 knots in some places at times. Slight to blowing dust is expected, and it will be cold by night. Visibility may drop to 2km or less in certain areas.
The Met department has also issued an offshore warning for poor visibility in some places, strong winds and high seas
today.
Northwesterly winds will blow at 18-28 knots offshore, reaching a high of 35 knots at times. Dusty conditions are also expected and it will also be partly cloudy, while the sea level may rise to 15ft at times.
The minimum temperature today is expected to be 13C in Al Khor and 15C in Doha. Yesterday, the minimum was 11C in Abu Samra, Turayna, Sheehaniya and Al Khor, while in Doha it
was 16C.
A barely visible Torch Doha due to dust late yesterday afternoon. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed
