UAE | Environment

Gale-force winds to sweep through UAE from tonight

Gale-force winds of up to 45kph will sweep across the country from tonight, bringing with it the possibility of dust storms.

  • By Mahmood Saberi, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 13:10 January 30, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Gulf News archive
  • Gale force surface winds of 25 knots will kick up sand and dust storms across the UAE.
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Dubai: Gale-force winds of up to 45kph will sweep across the country from tonight, bringing with it the possibility of dust storms.

Dr S.K. Gupta, duty forecaster at Dubai Meterological Office, said a very high pressure system is building up over the eastern section of Saudi Arabia and strong north-westerly winds are travelling from Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain to the UAE.

Both the East and the West coasts of the UAE will be hit by the gale-force winds and the East Coast will clear only by Saturday, Dr Gupta added.

Fierce gusts

"The high winds will be dangerous for any construction work on scaffold or for operating cranes," said the forecaster, adding that a marine warning will also be out soon to warn sailors of waves of 15 to 20 feet. Offshore, the winds will be fiercer, at 30 knots (55kph).

"It will not be pleasant for picnics or a day out on the beach," said Gupta. He warns motorists to be prepared for the high winds when driving on the highways as there is a danger of vehicles swerving.

Flights will not be affected by the gale as pilots regularly travel through 130 knot winds at 30,000 feet, said the forecaster. "The visibility will be clear at the airport as there is no open area nearby," said Dr Gupta.

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