KUWAIT: Dusty conditions will persist across Kuwait Tuesday as strong northwesterly winds continue to sweep through the country, the Kuwait Meteorological Department said on Monday. Acting Director of the Meteorological Department Dhirar Al-Ali told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that wind speeds are exceeding 60 kilometers per hour, significantly reducing visibility, especially in open areas. However, he noted that weather conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday evening.
“The country is currently under the influence of the Indian monsoon low, accompanied by a hot and dry air mass,” Al-Ali explained. “This is driving moderate to strong northwesterly winds that are stirring up dust and raising sea waves up to six feet at times.”
According to Al-Ali, winds will gradually begin to subside by Tuesday afternoon. Starting Tuesday evening, winds are expected to shift to a southeasterly direction along the coast, bringing a rise in humidity levels across the country – particularly in coastal areas. This humid spell is expected to last through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Last Tuesday, Kuwait entered what meteorologists say is the hottest stretch of the year, a 13-day period when temperatures are expected to soar as high as 52°C in some parts of the country. The country’s Meteorological Centre and the Ojairi Scientific Centre have warned that the extreme heat is part of a seasonal phase known locally as “Al-Mirzam.”
The period, which marks the peak of Kuwait’s summer heat, will continue until August 10. The Mirzam phase signals the most intense stretch of the summer, after which the season gradually transitions into “Al Kulaibin,” known for its oppressive humidity, and later into “Suhail”, when conditions begin to ease. — KUNA
