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After an irregular pattern of rise in temperature observed last week, the weather is expected to become considerably cold by weekend.
Qatar Meteorology Department yesterday forecasted fresh to strong northwesterly wind expected to affect the country today ranging inshore between 12 to 22kt gusting to 30kt at times causing blowing dust and low visibility below 3km in some areas.
In addition, marine warnings will be in effect until tomorrow as wave height expected to range between 5-7 ft reaching 9 ft at times in some areas.
Talking to The Peninsula, Abdullah Mohammed Al Mannai, Acting Director of QCAA Department of Meteorology said that the temperature was rising in last week that was making people uncomfortable. “Now coming days will be cold as per regular pattern,” he said.
Regarding less rain spells this year, Al Mannai said that they were likely in coming days but there was no exact forecast yet. “In Qatar’s weather system there exist both patterns: rain wave years and no rain wave years. In November and December there were no rain waves but we hope in coming days, the rain waves will enter the system,” he added.
QMD also forecasted the northerly winds in the coming days are accompanied by a drop in temperatures returning to their regular average for this time of the year.
The maximum temperature average in Doha during December is 24.4°C, whereas the minimum average is 15.6°C. Minimum temperature expected to drop below 10°C in southern areas and settled weather in general prevails during weekend. Regarding fall in temperature as low as 10°C, Al Mannai said it was specific for southern parts of the country which was also normal during this time of the year.
Qatar Meteorology Department has urged all to be cautious and to avoid going to sea during the warning period.
According to QMD website yesterday, there was moderate temperature at daytime with some clouds, cold at night with southwesterly, southeasterly winds 3-12kt.
Today weather will be hazy at places at first which will become mild at daytime with slight dust to blowing dust at places and some clouds and cold by night. Winds today will be southwesterly less than 08kt at first, becoming northwesterly 12 – 20kt and reaching 28kt at places at times.
Tides inshore are forecasted 1-3/4FT while offshore 2-4FT at first rising from 5-7/9FT at places at times. Tomorrow, weather will remain mild at daytime with slight dust and some clouds but cold by night. Winds will be northwesterly 10 – 18kt.
