New York snow and Saudi sand storms: turbulent weather abounds

As if the coronavirus pandemic wasn't already enough to unsettle people, the weather is adding some extra drama to things

A rickshaw cart puller braves a sand storms as he pedals through an intersection in New Delhi, India. AP Photo

People cover their faces during a sudden dust storm, in New Delhi, India. AP Photo

Streaks of lightning illuminate the sky during a thunderstorm in Bhopal, India. Meteorologist reports state that weather throughout Bhopal is forecasted to remain unsteady with active dust-triggering winds along with some rain. EPA/SANJEEV GUPTA

A boys runs in the middle of a street as others play during a sudden rain and dust storm as India's lockdown entered a sixth week, in New Delhi, India. AP Photo

Peter and Joanna Brown walk their dog in West Paris, Maine. AP

A horse grazes on new grass poking through the snow at Wedgewood Stables in Lanesborough, Mass., after a cold and snowy night. AP

A man walks through the Times Square area during a snow flurry as a polar vortex brought cold temperatures to the region in the Manhattan borough of New York City, US. Reuters

A man records in Times Square during a brief snow flurry as a polar vortex brought cold temperatures to the region in the Manhattan borough of New York City, US. Reuters

A man cycles through Times Square during a snow flurry as a polar vortex brought cold temperatures to the region in the Manhattan borough of New York City, US. Reuters

Rain in the Qassim region. Saudi Press Agency

Rain in the Qassim region. Saudi Press Agency

Rain in the Qassim region. Saudi Press Agency

Rain in the Qassim region. Saudi Press Agency

From May snow in the north-east of the US and Canada because of a polar vortex to storms in Saudi Arabia, bad weather abounds as people struggle to adjust to the huge changes brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

Meteorologists have described the several inches of snow that fell on New York state and city and New England "rare" for this time of year as temperatures were expected to drop to below freezing overnight because of cold air trapped in the Arctic over winter that sometimes moves south.

In Saudi Arabia, the dramatic sand storms that rolled into town a few days ago have given way to huge electrical storms, soaking city streets. Cloudy and dusty weather was expected on Sunday in the UAE and other parts of the Middle East.

The Shamal, a northwesterly wind that blows from Iraq across the Arabian Gulf states, often brings unsettled weather and large sandstorms a few times a year.

Huge sand storms also hit west Africa in recent days, appearing to paint the sky red, and another in New Delhi in India on Sunday.

The UK, which has been experiencing unseasonably warm weather, is set for a large temperature drop as it is also engulfed in icy Arctic air, with some snow expected in Scotland.