Severe Dust Storm Hits Egypt, Weather Warnings Issued

Egypt faced a severe dust storm on Monday, which directly impacted navigation and major roadways due to strong winds lifting sand and dust, leading to a significant reduction in visibility.

The General Meteorological Authority urged citizens to exercise caution, stating that the country is currently experiencing a period of unstable weather that may include hail and varying intensities of rain in the coming hours.

Dr. Manar Ghanem from the authority's media center reported wind speeds ranging from 40 to 60 kilometers per hour, causing visibility in some areas to drop below 500 meters, which disrupted traffic, particularly on major highways.

She also noted that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in coastal provinces such as Alexandria, Matruh, and Kafr El Sheikh, which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of low-pressure systems from the Mediterranean Sea.

Additionally, she emphasized the importance of avoiding areas beneath unstable buildings, billboards, and trees to mitigate risks posed by strong winds.

Weather forecasts indicate that conditions will begin to improve by Wednesday, with a gradual decrease in wind speed and reduced chances of rain, leading to a return to relative stability.

It is worth noting that Egypt has experienced several unusual dust storms in recent years, attributed to desert low-pressure activity and atmospheric effects from Cyprus and the Mediterranean Sea, which often bring heavy rain and light snowfall to some coastal areas.