Severe Dust Storm Strikes Egypt, Prompting Weather Advisories

A severe dust storm swept across Egypt on Monday, disrupting transportation and significantly reducing visibility as strong winds lifted sand and dust into the air.

The General Authority for Meteorology has advised citizens to exercise caution, noting that the country is currently experiencing a period of unstable weather, which may include hail and varying levels of rainfall in the upcoming hours.

Dr. Manar Ghanem from the authority's media center reported that wind speeds reached between 40 and 60 kilometers per hour, resulting in visibility dropping to less than 500 meters in certain regions. This has particularly affected traffic on major roads and highways.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal areas, including Alexandria, Matrouh, and Kafr el-Sheikh, which are most vulnerable to weather systems originating from the Mediterranean Sea.

Dr. Ghanem also advised the public to avoid standing under unstable structures, billboards, or trees due to the potential hazards posed by the strong winds.

Weather forecasts suggest that conditions will start to improve by Wednesday, with a gradual decrease in wind speeds and a lower likelihood of rain, leading to a return to more stable weather.

It is important to note that Egypt has experienced several unusual dust storms in recent years, attributed to the activity of desert low-pressure systems and weather influences from Cyprus and the Mediterranean, which can also bring heavy rain and occasional light snow to coastal regions.