Dust Storm Hits Egypt, Weather Warnings Issued

Egypt faced a significant dust storm today, impacting navigation and major highways as winds lifted sand and dust, leading to a severe reduction in visibility.

The General Authority for Meteorology has urged citizens to exercise caution, confirming that the country is experiencing a wave of unstable weather, which may include hail and varying intensities of rain in the coming hours.

Dr. Manar Ghanem from the authority's communication center noted that wind speeds ranged from 40 to 60 kilometers per hour, resulting in visibility dropping to less than 500 meters in certain areas, affecting traffic, especially on main roads and highways.

She added that moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal governorates such as Alexandria, Matrouh, and Kafr el-Sheikh, which are most vulnerable to the effects of depressions from the Mediterranean Sea.

Dr. Ghanem also emphasized the importance of avoiding standing under dilapidated buildings, billboards, or trees due to potential hazards from strong winds.

Weather forecasts indicate that conditions are expected to improve starting Wednesday, with a gradual decrease in wind speed and reduced chances of rain, allowing for a return to relatively stable weather.

It is noteworthy that Egypt has experienced several dust storms in recent years at unusual times, attributed to desert depressions and weather influences from Cyprus and the Mediterranean, which often bring heavy rain and light snowfall to certain coastal areas.