File photo used for representation only.
A cold spell is expected to hit the country on Thursday taking the temperature to below 7 degrees Celsius in various parts over the weekend. The Meteorology Department has urged all residents to avoid sea activities during the period.
The department has also forecast scattered rains tomorrow or Thursday.
The Department has warned that a high pressure condition from Siberia accompanied by strong winds is expected to sweep into Qatar starting Thursday dawn until Sunday. The fresh to strong north-westerly winds would bring down mercury much below the averages for this time of the year.
According to forecasts, temperature is expected to drop 3 to 6 degrees below the average. Temperatures in Doha would drop to a maximum of 17 to 20 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 10 to 13 degrees Celsius during the period.
However, the minimum temperature is expected to drop below 7 degrees Celsius in open areas and the southern parts of the country. The wind-chill factor will make the climate feel much colder, outside the city. The weather bureau has urged all residents to be cautious and avoid going to sea during this period.
The wind is expected to blow at speeds ranging between 15 to 28 knots inland with 35 Kt wind gusts at times. With the wind picking up dust, the visibility may drop below 2 km in some areas.
Wind speed is expected to reach 35 knots offshore with waves rising to more than 15 feet in the north. The Met department has urged all to avoid sea activities from Thursday dawn until Sunday .
In addition, clouds are expected to increase gradually from tomorrow evening to Thursday increasing the chances of having scattered rains.
Today the weather will be hazy to misty at places at first, becoming milder by day with some clouds. Doha will have a maximum temperature of 23 degrees and a minimum of 16 degrees Celsius.
In Mesaieed and Al Wakrah, the temperature will range between 21 to 11 degrees Celsius while in Al Khor the temperature will be between 22 and 13 degrees Celsius. In Dukhan the temperature will range between 20 and 14 degrees Celsius.
