UAE | Environment
Windy weather on Thursday brings risk of dust storms
The duty forecaster at the Dubai Met Office said a big chill will not hit the UAE, but high winds will, warning residents to stay inside.
- By Mahmood Saberi, Staff Reporter
- Published: 15:13 January 31, 2008
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
- The Dubai Met Office warned residents to stay inside because of high winds in the country.
Dubai: The duty forecaster at the Dubai Met Office said a big chill will not hit the UAE, but high winds will, warning residents to stay inside.
"I am not sure where that is coming from," said Dr S.K. Gupta, duty forecaster, noting that news of ice-cold wind is false.
"Cooling is not possible because of the strong north-westerly winds coming in from the sea," he said.
The minimum is not expected to go below 17 degrees Celsius.
The weather in the region has turned nasty over the past few days, dumping snow in cities which have never experienced white-outs before.
For the temperature to dip in the UAE, strong winds must come in from the open desert areas, the forecaster said.
Sandy haze
The windy weather is expected to clear by Monday. After that the shamal winds will help bring down temperatures to about 13 degrees Celsius.
High winds of 45 kilometres per hour are expected on Friday, and are likely to throw up a dust haze over any open areas.
The gusty winds will whip up sands on both sides of road, reducing visibility to less than 200 metres.
Flight operations will not be affected, but a 24-hour marine warning has been issued as the winds will whip up waves of 10 to 15 feet.
Meanwhile, the going may be tough for the golfers at the Dubai Desert Classic which got under way at the Majlis course.
The organisers expect that driving may be difficult for the golfers, who include champion Tiger Woods.
Do's and don'ts
- No outdoor activities, like barbecues and sailing.
- Flying schools in Dubai and Umm Al Quwain will close for the period.
- No desert safaris, cruises, scaffolding work or makeshift tents.
- Be alert when driving.
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