People stay indoors as sandstorms hit UAE

Al Ain: Gusty winds yesterday blew up sand and dust in most parts of the country, forcing people to stay indoors and motorists to be extra cautious on highways.

In some areas, including Al Ain and Dubai, wind speeds reached up to 30 knots at times but remained 20 to 26 knots in other areas in general. Dust and flying sand reduced visibility to considerable levels.

A weatherman said the winds were caused by a low atmospheric pressure that pumped hot south-easterly winds from the Empty Quarter, a desert bordering Saudi Arabia and the UAE, into the country.

Conditions were yesterday hot and hazy in general in different parts of the UAE.

Increased temperatures

"Wind was strong in open areas and that also increased temperatures significantly above the mean values," he added.

Regarding the weather forecast for the next 48 hours, he said conditions would remain hot, partly cloudy and hazy. South-easterly winds would continue to blow dust and sand. The direction of wind is expected to change this evening.

The weatherman said strong Shamal winds, also blowing dust and sand, would gradually decrease temperatures to significant levels.

"This will result in partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with a chance of scattered rain tonight and tomorrow morning."

Conditions could develop into thunderstorms in some areas, he said, adding the sea would also become rough with six to nine feet high waves.