Greater Cairo and several other governorates experienced unstable weather conditions on Friday due to a dust storm, caused by a low-pressure system extending across the Western Desert.
The most impacted areas included northwestern Egypt, extending to Marsa Matrouh, al-Dabaa, and al-Alamein, as well as the northern parts of the Western Desert, al-Wahat al-Bahariya Oasis, and northern and central Upper Egypt.
The dusty winds significantly reduced horizontal visibility, which dipped below 500 meters in some areas. As a result, maritime navigation in the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, was severely disrupted.
A member of the media center at the Egyptian Meteorological Authority, Manar Ghanem, said that Friday saw the peak of wind activity and weather fluctuations.
She noted that wind speeds will begin to decrease on Saturday, but dust will continue to linger in the air.
The dust will return on Sunday and Monday, Ghanem noted, but with less intensity than on Friday, while temperatures will remain warm until Monday.
She added that temperatures will begin to drop on Tuesday by five to six degrees, with Greater Cairo reaching 22C around the average. Cooler weather is expected at night, while daytime temperatures will remain warm with sunshine.
Ghanem advised citizens to stay away from billboards, trees, lampposts, and houses, especially dilapidated ones, and to drive cautiously. She also stressed the importance of those with sinusitis to wear masks when going out for their safety.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
