Curtains for summer as thunderstorms batter Lebanon

The first day of October brought summer to an abrupt close as the first heavy rains of the season fell, with storms pelting several areas of Lebanon and a heavy traffic congesting streets around the capital. Scattered rains and thunderstorms struck along the coast in Beirut, the northern city of Tripoli, Kesrouan and the Metn. In Ajaltoun, in Kesrouan, 30 mm of rain was recorded, according to the Lebanon Weather Forecast Facebook group. But despite the wintry weather, temperatures remained between 26-32 degrees Celsius along the coast and humidity was very high, ranging from 55 to 85 percent, according to the meteorological department at Rafik Hariri International Airport. Heavy traffic was reported on the Jounieh and Dora highways and at Salim Salam in Beirut, with the usual congestion exacerbated further. In some areas, sporadic electricity outages were also reported. Tuesday is expected to bring a slight drop in temperatures, with a 29 degree high on the coast, and temperatures ranging from between 18 to 29 degrees in the mountains. Heavy thunderstorms are expected at higher altitudes, and coastal drizzle in the evening. Weather will be partly cloudly with mountainous fog, and humidity will range from 35 to 85 percent on the coast. Wednesday is expected to bring more comfortable weather, with milder temperatures and sunnier skies. The Lebanon Weather Forecast group also predicts colder temperatures at higher altitudes from Friday. The Facebook group posted Sunday evening a photograph of fresh hail, the first of the season, in Qornet al-Sawda at an altitude of 3,088 meters. From DailyStar