National Centre of Meteorology warns of hazardous driving conditions and rough seas stretching into the weekend, urging residents to rely only on official updates.
DUBAI – The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a nationwide weather alert warning residents of dusty conditions, reduced horizontal visibility, and turbulent sea conditions expected to last through Saturday.
A significant strengthening of north-westerly winds is driving the atmospheric shift, sweeping sand and dust across various regions of the country. Weather officials have noted that while the overall climate may appear fair at intervals, conditions will turn heavily dusty at times. The impact will be most pronounced during daylight hours, particularly across the western regions of the Emirates where horizontal visibility is forecast to drop sharply.
According to the NCM, wind speeds will generally range between 10 to 25 km/h but are expected to accelerate up to 45 km/h at intervals. These strong gusts are the primary catalyst for the sandstorms currently affecting major vehicular routes and open areas.
Marine Disruptions and Churning Seas
In addition to terrestrial disruptions, the weather bureau has flagged significant risks for maritime activities. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf are projected to range from moderate to rough, threatening to turn “very rough” during the late-night hours.
In contrast, the Oman Sea is expected to remain relatively calm, maintaining slight conditions throughout the weekend. Boat captains, fishermen, and beachgoers are being advised to exercise extreme caution or defer sea trips until the weather system stabilizes after Saturday.
Standard Operating Warnings for Residents
With a massive expatriate and global audience residing in the UAE, including a significant population of Gulf Malayalis who commute heavily across the emirates, authorities have stressed the importance of safety. Drivers are urged to maintain safe distances on highways due to the sudden onset of blinding dust pockets.
In a formal statement, the NCM also took the opportunity to caution the public against the spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
“We strongly urge all residents to strictly follow official weather bulletins and reports issued by authorized channels, and to completely avoid circulating unverified information or rumors regarding the climate,” an NCM official stated.
The current unstable weather pattern is predicted to maintain its grip on the region until Saturday evening, after which the dust is expected to settle as wind speeds gradually ease.
