DOHA: The cold spell supposed to have ended yesterday is to continue for another week, a veteran weather forecaster said.
It is because the Siberian high pressure, accompanied by a cold mass, is still affecting the Arabian Peninsula, Abdullah Al Mannai, Head, Weather Forecasting and Analysis Section, Department of Meteorology, told this newspaper. He said the dusty weather is also likely to continue for a day or two as northwesterly wind will be moving from the colder regions of Europe over desert areas and will stir up dust.
Al Mannai said there was nothing unusual about the average temperature this time of the year. Several years ago, the mean average was 5.2 degrees C in February, he said, adding he couldn’t recall the year. He said even during the current cold snap, a few days ago the average temperature in Qatar’s remote areas was 7 degrees. So far this year the average temperature is still high. After February ends, average temperatures this February and the corresponding month last year will be compared.
He said there was little chance of rains and that was why the dust being lifted up by winds, causing a sandstorm, was not settling down.
Meanwhile, the daily forecast from the Met office for today said there will be high winds and dusty weather inshore, reducing visibility to 2km or less at times at places early in the morning.
The seas will be rough due to high winds and there will be some clouds.
A northwesterly wind will blow at speeds ranging from 12 to 22 knots, occasionally going up to 30 knots.
By evening the wind will lose its intensity and the night will be cold. In the seas, the wind could gather speeds of up to 35 knots at times.
Day temperatures forecast for today are between 21 degrees C (Al Ruwais) and 24 degrees (Doha), while the minimum will likely be 12 degrees in Abu Samra, 13 degrees in Al Wakra and Al Khor, and 15 degrees in Doha.
The Peninsula
