High winds warning across the UAE until tomorrow

Forecasters say speeds could reach up to 55kph

Heavy wind and sandstorm conditions along Al Khail Road in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

High wind speeds of up to 55kph are set to continue across the UAE until tomorrow.

Ahmed Habib, from the National Centre of Meteorology, said the blustery conditions were the result of a northwesterly wind moving across the country from the Arabian Gulf.

He said the weather had been rough for the past two days and would only start to ease out on Thursday.

“We can expect the winds to continue at about 50-55 kph before starting to decrease tomorrow,” he said.

“It started the day before yesterday and came in from the Arabian Gulf.”

Northwesterly winds in the Gulf are known as a shamal. They are often strong during the day but decrease at night and can sometimes produce sandstorms.

“Temperatures will start to go back up to around 45 degrees Celsius from Friday,” Mr Habib said.

“We’re still experiencing spring weather.”

Mr Habib also warned residents to expect foggy weather in some parts of the UAE on Friday.

“There will be a chance of fog forming in areas of the coast near Abu Dhabi and in western parts of the country,” he said.

“It’s normal after a shamal for the humidity to change and fog to arrive.”