UAE weather: warning of sandstorms and reduced visibility

Authorities urge people to drive carefully during hazardous conditions

A severe sandstorm hit the UAE in 2015. Deepthi Unnikrishnan / The National

The National Centre of Meteorology on Monday urged people to be prepared for sandstorms, dust clouds and reduced visibility on the UAE's roads.

Winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour are kicking up dust clouds across parts of the UAE from Dubai, south into Abu Dhabi and west across Al Dhafra region.

Al Dhafra Municipality has also urged motorists to be cautious and contact the crisis number 993 if they were overwhelmed by a sandstorm.

"Fresh south-easterly winds [are] causing blowing dust and sand with poor horizontal visibility to less than 3,000 metres at times over some exposed areas," the NCM said in an alert.

The conditions are expected to last until Monday afternoon at the earliest, but could linger into midweek.

Powerful sandstorms can affect the UAE, with a particularly severe event in 2015 blotting out the sky and leading to a surge in hospital admissions.

Meanwhile, it will be humid at night and into Tuesday morning over some coastal and internal areas, with a likelihood of mist.

Winds will be light to moderate, freshening at times and causing dust to blow about.

Conditions will be slight in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.