Gulf braced for hot and humid weather this weekend

The mercury shot up to 41 degrees Celsius yesterday and forecasters expect further increases over the weekend as dry and fair conditions dominate the weather. Conditions will become increasingly uncomfortable in coastal and some internal areas with rising temperatures, humidity, and strong sunlight over the next three days. People have been advised to protect themselves in the heat. Wind speed The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) said the weather will be fair in general in most areas with light to moderately strong winds. In the western areas, winds are likely to become stronger in the afternoon, kicking up dust and sand. Forecasters said humidity could rise to 95 per cent in coastal areas, 75 per cent in the internal areas, and 40 per cent in the mountains. Some cities further into the desert have already started facing summer levels of heat. It was 41C in Al Ain at 2pm yesterday. "We are expecting similar conditions for the next two days," said a forecaster, advising people to be careful when out in the open. Prolonged exposure to sunlight Prolonged exposure to sunlight could cause health problems, he noted. According to the NCMS, fair weather will continue for at least two days. Winds will not be a problem but sea could be moderately rough in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with up to 1.2 metre high waves offshore. Range of temperatures Temperatures are expected to drop to 20C at night and rise to 36C in coastal areas, range between 15C and 41C in internal areas, and from 15C to 28C in the mountainous areas. Wind speed is predicted to be between 20km/h and 35km/h, while the direction of gusts is expected to vary from northerly to north-westerly, easterly and south-easterly.