Dust and wind lash the UAE

Strong Shamal winds have been creating ten-foot waves in the offshore waters of the Arabian Gulf and pushing suspended dust into the UAE since Wednesday. The weather system has been affecting a vast area of Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula. Severe dust and sandstorms have been reported in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. "We expect dusty, hazy, and windy conditions across the emirates," said a forecaster. Conditions are expected to continue until Friday and small fishing trawlers and other seafarers have been warned to stay away from the sea. Conditions could also create problems for people suffering from asthma and other allergies. The forecasters said two parallel atmospheric low pressures over Iraq and high pressure over Egypt have destabilised the weather. The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) on Wednesday reported 62km/h winds and ten-foot waves in the sea near Umm Al Sheif. Visibility has dropped in many parts of the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. The NCMS has also warned motorists to be careful as visibility will be affected. The centre forecast a drop in temperatures, saying the weather will on Thursday be hazy in general. Conditions will continue to be hazy in general on Friday.