UAE weather: Dust storm warning with winds set to hit 60kph

It was a blustery start to Friday across parts of the country

A fallen branch partially blocks a road in The Springs after high winds in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

A dust storm alert has been issued as high winds sweep across the country.

Gust approached 40kph in Abu Dhabi on Friday morning as the UAE's weather bureau urged people to remain vigilant.

The National Centre of Meteorology said wind speeds could reach 60kph over the next day.

The weather centre warned of dusty conditions in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, reducing visibility to below 3,000 metres.

The blustery weather was also felt in Dubai, with an uprooted branch partially blocking a road in The Springs.

Residents in Dubai were greeted by leaden skies in the morning.

In Sharjah, Kalba City Municipality announced it was closing all parks temporarily due to unstable weather, including strong winds.

The NCM forecast very rough sea conditions, with waves of more than 3 metres.

It shared a yellow warning, calling for people to 'be aware' when venturing outside.

The UAE has experienced a mixed start to 2023, with chilly spells and rainfall followed by a recent surge in temperatures.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the low 20s on Friday, but the mercury will approach 30ºC early next week.

There is a prospect of fog drifting in on Sunday morning, the NCM said in its latest five-day bulletin.

Dust storms in the UAE — in pictures