Sandstorm surprises Dubai, Northern Emirates: More expected

Sandstorm hit Dubai on Monday afternoon, reducing visibility to just a few hundred metres, with rain in some areas.

Today's forecast also informs of blowing dust and towering clouds as well as a chance of rain.

The National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) says, today will be hot and hazy during the daytime with a probability towering cloud formation over Eastern areas by afternoon.

Moderate winds are expected, freshening at times, causing blowing dust/s over the internal areas. Sea will be moderate in general. Relative humidity will increase during night and  early morning over the coast and some internal areas, the forecaster said.

According to the NCMS, Jebel Ali and the new Emirates Road areas appeared to be the most affected by yesterday's sand storm, with visibility less than 500 metres.

Meanwhile, Dubai Police had also issued a warning to drivers to proceed with caution due to the sudden weather change.

The old Bypass Road, one of the affected areas, saw two trailers collide near the Al Ain turnoff.

Tailbacks were reported on the highway, adding to the rush-hour traffic.

Even as motorists took to Twitter about the high winds and driving conditions, NCMS assured that what Dubai and Sharjah were facing was not in fact a sandstorm, but “dusty weather, caused by gusty winds.”

An NCMS spokesman said: “This is daily weather that we see in the Eastern parts, which is caused by convective clouds that dissipate and are pushed down by the winds, stirring up sand in the lower areas. However, the wind pattern has carried this weather pattern further west.

“This weather will clear up within minutes when the wind settles down.”
 
But residents, rattled by the high winds of nearly 60kmph, took to Twitter, warning other drivers.

Residents and students around American University of Sharjah tweeted about poor visibility due to the sandstorm in the area.

Fatma Al Falasi tweeted: “Worst sandstorm I've ever witnessed.”

Rakesh Bakshi wrote: “Drivers, please be safe today and let’s not speed. We all have families to return home to.”

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) urged drivers to always maintain a safe distance when driving in extreme weather and drive carefully as visibility could be limited to a short distance.

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