UAE weather: Rain and poor visibility from dust predicted

Fishermen and boat owners have been advised to stay home because of rough seas and strong winds expected in the Arabian Gulf over the next two days.

ABU DHABI // Fishermen and boat owners have been advised not to go to sea for the next two days because strong winds are expected in the Arabian Gulf.

Waves of more than 2 metres were recorded during the day on Monday and were expected to reach more than 3 metres in the evening and into Wednesday, prompting the warning by the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS).

The centre also advised drivers to beware of low visibility in different parts of the country due to dust, particularly in Al Hamra where visibility was down to less than 500 metres, said the state news agency Wam.

Strong northwesterly winds, particularly over the sea, would cause dust and sand to blow over land and result in a drop in temperature in most areas, the NCMS said.

The strong winds would begin building up in the evening and continue through the night in offshore areas and this would reduce visibility in inland areas as well.

Unstable weather with cloud cover increasing and the chance of rain in northern and eastern areas was also predicted.

Winds of 20-40kph would advance to 50kph by the evening and even rise above 60kph in offshore areas.

The minimum temperature in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain was set to drop to 17°C, while the low in Dubai was set to touch 19°C and in Fujairah 18°C.