UAE weather alert: Dust and strong winds disrupt visibility, NCM issues warnings

Dubai: The UAE's weather bureau has issued an alert as very dusty conditions and strong winds affected the country on Wednesday evening.

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued warnings for Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fujairah, and parts of Dubai and Sharjah due to strong winds blowing dust into the air.

Abu Dhabi Police have advised drivers to exercise caution on the roads, as visibility is hindered by the dusty conditions. In a social media post, they urged residents to refrain from using their phones and taking videos of the weather while driving.

Visibility has been reduced to 2,000 meters in some areas, with some locations experiencing visibility as low as 100 meters, according to an official from the NCM. Strong winds are expected to persist, blowing at speeds of 15 to 25 km/h and reaching up to 40 km/h at times.

According to the NCM, dusty and hazy skies are anticipated, but a gradual decrease in dust levels is expected. These conditions are likely to last until 7pm this evening.

Most coastal areas of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah experienced low temperatures ranging from 15 to 20°C. In Jebel Jais, temperatures fell below 5°C, with the lowest recorded temperature in the country at 3.4°C at 6:30 AM today, according to the Met Office.

The maximum humidity is expected to reach 85 per cent, leading to high humidity levels at night, particularly in some coastal and internal areas, with a chance of fog formation.

The NCM reported that temperatures are expected to remain warm, noting that the dust suspension will not significantly impact temperatures. This week, Abu Dhabi can expect temperatures around 19°C to 23°C.

If you were planning a trip to the beach this week, you may want to reconsider, as the sea is expected to be rough due to the winds, according to a statement by the NCM. These conditions are expected to last until Thursday evening.

Weather forecast for tomorrow

 Expect dusty and partly cloudy conditions at times. Humidity will increase at night and early Friday morning over some internal areas, leading to a chance of mist formation.

Winds are expected to be light to moderate, coming from the east to northeast, with gusts causing blowing dust that may reduce horizontal visibility, especially in the eastern regions, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 km/h, reaching up to 40 km/h at times.

The sea will be moderate in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.