Doha, Apr 2 (Doha News): Citing “extreme weather conditions,” Qatar’s Supreme Education Council has decided that private and public schools should remain shut today.

The move comes as Qatar residents wake up after one of the worst sandstorms the country has seen in years.

Doha

The weather is a result of a high pressure front from Saudi Arabia, which has also shut many of its schools in certain parts of the country, Arab News reports.

The Qatar Meteorology Department (MET) has also advised residents to take care, saying high winds will move over the country late tonight and persist all day tomorrow, leading to dusty conditions.

Hamad Airport

Early this morning, a number of flights due to depart from Hamad International Airport (HIA) were delayed due to the adverse weather, an airport representative said, although only one was canceled.

A Jet Airways flight to Mumbai had been scheduled to take off at 3:20am, but was delayed for more than three hours and is now set to take off at 7am.

A Qatar Airways flight to Colombo in Sri Lanka was also delayed by more than three hours as it finally took off at 4:30am, instead of its scheduled 12:55am.

Sandstorm in Riyadh (Pics sent by Manoj Mascarenhas)

Another Qatar Airways flight, this time to Riyadh, suffered delays of nearly six hours as the flight which had been set to leave at 1:10am is now due to leave at 7am.

R1157 from Dammam (KSA) which was due to arrive in Doha at 5:10am has been rescheduled for a 9:25am arrival, while QR1167 from Riyadh was delayed from its 5:25am arrival and is now due to arrive in Qatar at 10:50am.

Finally, a Fly Dubai flight to Dubai which was due to leave Doha at 3:10am was canceled.

However, most flights appear to have landed this morning as scheduled, without incurring any significant delays.

And the airport representative told Doha News that most flights would be flying on schedule for the rest of the morning. Still, passengers due to travel today are advised to check with their airline for the latest status update.

Weather forecast

According to the Qatar Meteorology Department (MET), wind speeds here are forecast to reach as high as 35 knots inshore (65km/hour) and 38 knots (70km/hour) offshore.

Dusty conditions are expected to prevail through Friday, though the worst of this sandstorm should be over by lunchtime, says Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist at Al Jazeera English:

For those reporting to work today, the Ministry of Interior has warned of almost zero visibility on the roads, and reminded people to please refrain from using their hazard lights.

Health precautions

In addition to driving extra-carefully on the roads, residents should also take to protect their health during sandstorms.

Doctors generally advise that residents drive with their windows closed; avoid rubbing their eyes to prevent infections; and carry a supply of water to keep from being dehydrated.

Since children are especially vulnerable – thousands were taken to the hospital in January during a sandstorm – parents should cover their kids’ mouths and noses while outside, to avoid reducing inhalation of dust particles.

Sandstorm hits UAE: Poor visibility; temperatures to drop significantly

Dubai, Apr 2 (Emirates 24|7): NCMS has warned against poor visibility due to strong winds that would blow sand in the air.

Visibility will be down to less than 500 metres at times due to suspension of dust and there will be significant drop in temperature.

The weather bureau has also warned seafarers and beach goers to stay away from water as they can expect the sea conditions to be very rough.

Overall, the weather will be hazy and partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times over some areas especially over coastal, northern and island areas.

Moderate to fresh northwesterly winds will blow dust in the air and thus reduce the horizontal visibility, especially over the exposed areas, with significant drop in temperatures over most areas.

The relative humidity will increase by night and early morning over some internal and coastal areas. Sea will be rough to very rough in the Arabian Gulf and moderate to rough in Oman sea.