Strong winds during the day and poor visibility due to dust are expected in parts of the country today, the Qatar Met department has said.
This will mark the beginning of a spell of windy conditions that is likely to continue until the end of next week, according to the weather office.
During this period, the maximum temperature in the country is expected to hover around the normal level for this time of the year, ranging from 41-44C.
In a report yesterday, the Met department said northwesterly fresh to strong winds were likely to affect Qatar from today afternoon until the end of next week due to the “deepening of the Indian seasonal low pressure over the region with an extension of a high-pressure area over the northwestern parts of the Arabian Peninsula”.
The northwesterly wind activity is expected to reach its peak on Thursday as well as on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, clocking speeds of 16-25 knots that may go up to 30 knots in some areas. This, in turn, will result in blowing dust and poor visibility, which may drop to 2km or less in some areas.
A warning has also been issued for offshore areas, which are likely to see strong winds and high waves, measuring 5-10ft.
The wind speed is expected to drop after midday on Friday midday and this is likely to last until Saturday afternoon.
The forecast for inshore areas today says it will be hot during the day with slight to blowing dust in some places at times.
Offshore areas, too, are likely to experience strong winds and high seas by this afternoon.
It will be hazy to misty in some places at first, followed by slightly dusty conditions later.
Yesterday, the temperature reached a high of 45C in Abu Hamour, Karana, Turayna and Batna, followed by 44C in the Qatar University area, Sheehaniya and Jumayliya and 43C in the Doha airport area, Messaied and Ghuwairiya.
The maximum temperature today is expected to be 44C in Doha, Messaied and Wakrah, 43C in Al Khor, 40C in Abu Samra, 37C in Dukhan and 34C in Al Ruwais.
The Met department has urged people to be cautious and avoid sea activities during the period of strong winds. Latest weather updates can be followed through the department’s official website, smartphone applications and various social media accounts.
See more at http://qweather.gov.qa/NewsDetail.aspx#sthash.1Oej4i0d.dpuf