Doha: Heavy rains accompanied by thunder are expected in the country from today evening lasting until the weekend. Parts of the country received light drizzles yesterday as skies were overcast due to unstable weather.
The country is still under the influence of atmospheric instability due to low pressure over northern Saudi Arabia coinciding with an extension of Sudan low pressure over the Arabian Peninsula. This is expected to continue until Saturday, February 18, ushering in strong winds and rains. With the low pressure system favourable for cloud formation, skies over Qatar are expected to become more cloudy. From today evening, the cloud intensity would peak, leading to moderate to heavy rain.
The rains will extend gradually over most areas of the country, and will at times be accompanied by thunder, according to the weather bureau.
The winds would be mostly south-easterly to north-easterly becoming strong especially today and tomorrow, causing blowing dust and low visibility over some areas.
The expected rains may be accompanied by strong winds reaching 35 knots at times causing dusty conditions, low visibility and high waves, according to the Met department.
The department has issued warnings of strong winds and tumultuous sea, urging all to be cautious and to avoid going to sea during the period.
Poor visibility and rains with strong winds forecast
Today, the weather bureau has warned of poor visibility at first and rains and thunder associated with strong winds.
The weather today will be misty to foggy at places at first and cloudy with chances of scattered rain accompanied by thunder at places at times. The visibility can go down to less than 2km at first.
Meanwhile, Doha, Mesaieed, Al Wakrah and Dukhan would have a maximum temperature of 23 degrees Celsius while Al Khor, Ruwais and Abu Samrah will see a maximum of 22 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature would be 18 degrees Celsius in Doha, Mesaieed and Al Wakrah, while, Al Khor, Dukhan and Abu Samrah would experience a minimum of 15 degrees Celsius.
The wind speed will be between 8 and 18 knots, going up to 26 knots during rain, inshore. Offshore the winds will be blowing at 8 to 18 knots at first increasing to 18 to 28 knots by afternoon. They could reach 35 knots during thunderstorms.
