Qatar Meteorology: Low visibility across Qatar due to dust mass

May 17, 2022

The Qatar Meteorological Department has announced the weather report on their website and socials and warns of low horizontal visibility across Qatar due to an approaching dust mass.

Latest images have been circulated on social media that show heavy dust distribution across the country. The weather department has warned people of dust and cautions motorists to drive safely as visibility could also reach zero at certain times during the day.

The department’s website also shared an infographic that depicts the temperature and humidity levels across various parts of the country.

The weather is expected to be hot and dusty at times and this is owing to the Northwesterly winds that could range from 13-23 KT and even reaching 31 KT at some times. Even the sea state is expected to rise up to three feet.

On Twitter, the Qatar Meteorological Department also shared a heat map that shows how the dust mass caused by Northwesterly winds might last from today, Tuesday, until Friday. The wind gusts are expected to exceed 28 knots, which could make it difficult to travel in open areas.

من المتوقع أن يعاود نشاط الرياح الشمالية الغربية من يوم الثلاثاء وحتى الجمعة لتصل إلى قوية أحياناً نهاراً مع هبات تتجاوز ٢٨ عقدة يصاحبها غبار خفيف إلى طقس مغبر أحياناً خاصة في المناطق المكشوفة. #قطر pic.twitter.com/ghNoRVroti
— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) May 16, 2022

Even the Ministry of Interior has issued a tweet on their socials cautioning drivers to stay safe while driving is such low-to-zero visibility conditions. It instructs drivers to drive slow, wear a seatbelt at all times and follow necessary precautions.

القيادة أثناء الغبار تتطلب الانتباه ، يرجى من قائدي المركبات اتباع اجراءات السلامة اللازمة ..رافقتكم السلامة #الداخلية_قطر pic.twitter.com/PPCgwzLHDS
— وزارة الداخلية - قطر (@MOI_Qatar) May 17, 2022

The Qatar Meteorological Department has also shared precautions for the pedestrians, motorists and drivers. It calls for people to wear mask and protect yourself from dust entering your nose. It also advises people to keep washing face, nose, and mouth frequently.