Sand takes UAE by storm; more expected today

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Sand takes UAE by storm; more expected today

Visibility reduced to less than 1,000km; more sandstorms expected today

by

Olivia Olarte-Ulherr

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Published: Sun 22 Feb 2015, 12:30 AM

Last updated: Fri 26 Jun 2015, 12:25 AM

Abu Dhabi — Moderate to strong winds will continue to kick up dust and sand across the country today and tomorrow, reducing visibility and temperature. Rainfall is also expected over the islands, the coastal and the northern areas.

Workers at a construction site in Al Qusais, Dubai. — KT photo by Shihab 

Northeast to South-Easterly winds with gusts up to 36kmph and going up to 48kmph at times will dip the temperature to 16 degree Celsius in coastal areas and 14 degree Celsius in internal and mountainous areas.

The sea will be rough and very rough at times with waves rising up to 11-12 feet on the Arabian Gulf and eight feet over the Oman Sea.

“Fresh to strong northwesterly winds, especially over the sea ... blowing dust/sand and reducing the horizontal visibility with another fall in temperatures (are expected),” the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) predicted for Sunday.

“The cloud amount will increase over the islands and the northern areas, with a chance of rainfall,” it added.

Shaikh Zayed Road, Dubai, blanketed with sand on Friday. — KT photo by Mukesh Kamal

On Friday, residents across the country woke up to a hazy and dusty morning that reduced visibility throughout the day. The strong Southerly wind continued till the afternoon.

In Al Falah City, Abdulla Rahman woke up to strong winds and sand rattling his window. “The wind has been blowing since Thursday night, and today everything was hazy and dusty. The wind has not let up and continued to kick sand till the afternoon,” he said.

The worst-hit were worshippers heading to mosques for Friday prayers. Thousands of workers braved the dust storms to offer their prayers. 

The NCMS recorded the Southerly wind at 60kmph with waves rising-up to eight feet over some areas of the Arabian Gulf.

Visibility was less than 1,000 metres across the country with visibility at Al Maktoum International Airport down to 700 metres.

The lowest temperature recorded over the country on Friday morning was 16.6 degree Celsius in Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah at 7am.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com


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