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Strong winds set to lash UAE today

DUBAI — While Ras Al Khaimah was celebrating Sunday’s thunderstorms, the country yesterday braced for near gale-force winds as the shamal strengthens today, according to a forecaster at the Dubai Met office.

Forecaster Dr S K Gupta said Ras Al Khaimah received 7mm of rainfall yesterday. The showers lasted for a couple of hours, predominantly in the northern areas of Sham, Al Jeer and Al Ghayirah in Ras Al Khaimah.

Also mild rainfall, sandstorms and a cloudy weather were seen in different areas of the emirate bringing a sign of hope that there might be more rain in the coming days.

RAK residents had started losing hope of getting rain during this winter season as December went dry.

Fujairah residents experienced strong winds yesterday that decreased visibility to a few hundred metres in some places and disrupted vehicular traffic and outdoor activity.

By mid-afternoon the winds also brought moderate rain to the city of Fujairah and heavier rain in the mountainous areas.

Sharjah also received a minor drizzle, but not a measurable amount.

The shamal winds were strengthening offshore yesterday evening and the forecaster predicted near gale-force winds across the country today.

“Warnings have been issued for the offshore winds which will reach 30 knots and swells of 12-14 feet will make the seas rough and choppy,” he said.

People have advised not to venture out to sea while extra precaution has also been advised for luggage transfer at the airport and light planes parked at the airport had to be secured properly.

Inland winds of 20-25 knots were not expected to have a strong impact at the airport, take-offs or landings, and visibility along UAE’s coast would not be badly impaired.

“However inland, in the desert, visibility will be reduced to about 3000m,” Dr Gupta said.

Dr Gupta also predicted a few days of cold weather, until about Wednesday, when maximums would drop by four degrees to about 20 degrees Celsius with little variation with the minimum around 18 degrees. There was a chance of rain, most likely in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah again, but Dr Gupta said it would only be a small amount. Winds were expected to ease on Tuesday morning but the shamal and rough seas would remain for another two days.

• UAE