ABU DHABI // Fishermen and beachgoers are being warned to avoid the sea as strong shamal winds are churning up the water.
The north-westerly winds also pose a risk to motorists as the sand and dust reduce visibility, the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology said.
Visibility will drop to between 1,000 and 2,000 metres, particularly in open areas and western regions of the country.
The winds are expected to lead to a drop in temperatures, down to 19°C by Tuesday from 27°C on Sunday.
A forecaster at the centre said the cold airmass over the Mediterranean had resulted in the drop. But he ruled out any links with the snowfall hitting parts of the Middle East.
“We cannot say it is directly linked to that,” he said.
North-westerly winds of up to 52kph have resulted in waves of between 1.8 metres and 2.4 metres in the Arabian Gulf, the centre said.
The sea will be rough to very rough in the Arabian Gulf and rough at times in the Sea of Oman. The weather is set to improve from Wednesday onward.
Winter storms are battering parts of the Middle East. The Emirates Red Crescent has launched a Dh3.67 million emergency relief operation to help Syrian refugee families in Lebanon affected by heavy snow.
About 15,000 families are being targeted, with food packages, woollen blankets and winter clothes being given out in refugee camps in Arsal, Balabak and other areas of the Bekaa Valley.
Those who have received aid thanked the UAE for the assistance, which they said came just in time to alleviate their suffering in the winter.
anwar@thenational.ae
