Another spell of ‘unsettled weather’ and rain is expected in the country over the coming weekend, the Qatar Met department has said.
There is a chance of light rain in some places on Tuesday as well, while strong winds and high seas have been forecast in offshore areas in the early hours of the day. It will also continue to be cold across the country on Tuesday.
In a report on Monday, the Met department said a state of instability was expected to affect the country during the weekend, starting from Thursday (February 23), due to the “passage of an upper-level trough of low pressure”.
The skies are likely to become cloudy gradually and there is a chance of scattered rain, mostly light to moderate in intensity, which may become thundery at times over some areas.
Northeasterly to northwesterly winds of moderate to fresh intensity will blow during this period, becoming strong at times on Friday (February 24). Temperatures, in general, will be around their average levels, the weather office has said.
The Met department has asks people to be cautious and avoid venturing into sea during this period in view of the expected conditions.
Scattered light rain was detected in some places on Monday too, especially in the central and western parts of Qatar, the Met department tweeted. Drizzles were reported from Doha as well, especially towards the evening.
Meanwhile, the detailed forecast for inshore areas on Tuesday says mild conditions are likely during the day and it will also be partly cloudy. There is a chance of light rain in some places, and it will be cold by night.
Hazy and partly cloudy conditions have been forecast in offshore areas and there could be scattered rain in some places at first. The wind speed in these areas may go up to 22 knots (northwesterly), with the sea level rising to 7ft in certain areas in the early hours of the day.
The country will experience another cold day on Tuesday as a minimum temperature of 10C is likely in Al Khor, followed by 12C in Mesaieed, Wakrah and Abu Samra, while in Doha it will be 14C. The maximum, on the other hand, will range from 15C to 19C.
Monday, a minimum temperature of 10C was recorded in Al Khor, Ghuwairiya and Karana. In and around the capital, the minimum was 11C in the Qatar University (QU) area, 12C in the Hamad International Airport (HIA) area and 13C in the Doha airport area.
196mn gallons of water removed, Ghuwairiya tops rain charts
The Rain Emergency Committee at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has concluded draining out rainwater throughout Qatar except in the Industrial Area, the MME has said in a press statement. Work will continue wherever required in order to clear all roads. A nearly week-long rainy spell had led to water accumulation at a number of places in the country.
More than 196mn gallons of water were drained out from February 14 until 6am Monday (February 20), the MME said. This was done in 35,419 batches using 321 tankers. Also, 647 employees and workers were involved in the process.
MME and Public Works Authority (Ashghal) emergency centres received some 2,086 complaints in this regard and all of these were adequately addressed, the statement noted. However, operation will still go on to deal with any reported rain accumulations.
Meanwhile, a chart issued by the Qatar Met department on Tuesday showed that Ghuwairiya towards the north received the highest rainfall in the country – 84mm - between Sunday, February 12, and Friday, February 17. It was followed by Ras Laffan with 80.9mm, Dukhan with 73.3mm, Ruwais with 67.3mm, Shehaimiya with 60.2mm, QU area with 56.2mm, Sheehaniya with 48.7mm, Abu Hamour with 48.5mm, HIA area with 47.3mm and Doha airport area with 41.8mm. The lowest was in Jumayliyah – 26mm.