Latest news with #DhirarAl-Ali


Arab Times
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Arab Times
Kuwait braces for 4 days of severe dust, 49°C heat
KUWAIT CITY, June 30: The acting Director of the Meteorological Department Dhirar Al-Ali says the country will be affected by hot, dry, and occasionally strong winds that will stir up dust and reduce visibility, especially in open areas, from Tuesday, July 1 until the afternoon of Friday, July 4. Al-Ali told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Monday that weather maps and numerical models indicate the country will be influenced by the extension of the Indian monsoon low-pressure system, accompanied by a hot, dry air mass and northwesterly winds ranging from moderate to active, sometimes strong, with speeds between 20 and 60 kilometers per hour. He explained that these winds will raise dust, reducing horizontal visibility in some areas to less than 1,000 meters, particularly in open areas, and will cause sea waves to rise above six feet. The general weather is expected to be extremely hot and dusty during the day, and hot to warm at night, with dust gradually settling in the evening. The expected maximum temperatures would range between 47 and 49 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures range between 31 and 34 degrees Celsius. Al-Ali urged drivers on highways to exercise caution due to sudden drops or loss of horizontal visibility, especially on open roads, and warned seagoers about high waves. People with asthma and allergies are advised to wear masks when going outside. (KUNA)

Kuwait Times
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Kuwait Times
Mercury to hit 52°C amid scorching days, hot and humid nights
KUWAIT: A gradual rise in temperatures is expected across Kuwait starting Friday, with highs reaching up to 52°C by Monday, according to Acting Director of the Meteorological Department, Dhirar Al-Ali. Speaking to KUNA on Thursday, Al-Ali said that weather maps and numerical models indicate the country will be affected by an extension of a surface low-pressure system, accompanied by a hot and humid air mass and southeasterly winds. Thursday's high was expected to reach around 44°C. Beginning Friday, the low-pressure system is forecast to deepen gradually, with winds shifting to northwesterly. As a result, temperatures will rise, with Friday's high expected to reach 48°C. Al-Ali confirmed that the upward trend in temperatures will continue through the weekend, with highs expected to hit 50°C at Kuwait International Airport on Saturday, 51°C on Sunday and peaking at 52°C on Monday. He warned of extremely hot daytime conditions and warm to hot nights, advising the public to avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours and to stay hydrated to prevent dehydration. The meteorological department also forecast Kuwait will remain under the influence of the Indian monsoon low-pressure system through the weekend, bringing hot and humid weather. Winds will be variable to southeasterly, light to moderate in speed, with the low-pressure system gradually intensifying and winds shifting to dry northwesterlies by Friday. Thursday daytime conditions were hot and humid, particularly along coastal areas, with variable to southeasterly winds at 6-28 km/h. Highs ranged between 44°C and 32°C, with sea conditions expected to be light to moderate at 1-3 feet. Thursday night was forecast to be warm and humid, with southeasterly to variable winds at 6-26 km/h, and lows between 30°C and 27°C. Sea conditions were expected to remain light to moderate. Friday daytime will bring extreme heat and relatively high humidity in coastal areas. Winds will gradually shift to northwesterly at 8-28 km/h, and highs will range between 47°C and 49°C. The sea will remain light to moderate with waves of 1-3 feet. Friday night will be hot to warm, with northwesterly winds at 8-30 km/h. Lows will range between 31°C and 28°C. Saturday's weather will be extremely hot with northwesterly to variable winds at 8-32 km/h. Highs are expected to range between 49°C and 51°C. Sea conditions will remain light to moderate at 1-4 feet. Saturday night will remain hot to warm, with similar wind speeds and directions. Lows will range between 31°C and 28°C, and sea conditions will stay light to moderate. – KUNA


Arab Times
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Arab Times
Humidity cranks up Kuwait's Eid weekend heat
KUWAIT CITY, June 5: The Meteorological Department says the high-pressure system accompanied by a hot and dry air mass experienced in the country will recede, making way for the seasonal Indian low-pressure system during the weekend. This will bring a relatively hot and humid air mass, along with variable winds shifting to southeasterly at light to moderate speeds during the weekend. The acting Director of the Meteorological Department Dhirar Al-Ali told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that wind speeds will gradually decrease until Sunday, after which southeasterly winds are expected to become active again starting Monday morning. These winds may stir up dust and cause an increase in sea waves. He explained that on Friday, the weather is expected to be hot during the day, with northwesterly to variable winds, light to moderate in speed, ranging from 8 to 32 km/h. The high temperatures are expected to be between 41 and 43°C, and sea conditions will be light to moderate, with waves ranging from one to four feet. The weather on Friday evening will be hot to warm, with northwesterly to variable winds at light to moderate speeds ranging from 8 to 30 km/h. The low temperatures are expected to be between 26 and 28°C, and sea conditions will be light to moderate, with wave heights between one and three feet. On Saturday, the weather will be hot and relatively humid in coastal areas during the day, with winds shifting from northwesterly to southeasterly at light to moderate speeds of 8 to 32 km/h. The expected high temperatures will range between 42 and 44°C, and sea conditions will be light to moderate, with waves from one to four feet. The weather on Saturday evening will be hot to warm and relatively humid, especially in coastal areas, with southeasterly to variable winds at light to moderate speeds of 8 to 30 km/h. The expected low temperatures will be between 24 and 26°C, and sea conditions will be light to moderate, with waves between one and three feet. (KUNA)


Arab Times
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Arab Times
Kuwait skirts extreme heat
KUWAIT CITY, May 20: Kuwait will witness further scorching heat during the coming days amid northwesterly winds, the Meteorology Department said on Tuesday. The acting director of the department, Dhirar Al- Ali, told KUNA that the temperature would be hot at nighttime in the coming days, adding that waves of dust would lower visibility in undeveloped regions. Kuwait is under the influence of the seasonal Indian low depression, bringing to the region hot blows that would push the heat upwards, he said, noting that recorded temperatures have fluctuated between 33 degrees minimum and 48 to 51 degrees maximum in most of Kuwait's territories. He forecast further high heat in the coming days, with a rise of the waves at sea to more than six feet. Meanwhile, temperatures soared to nearly 50 degrees Celsius at noon on Tuesday, causing the electricity load index to approach critical levels, reaching 15,881 megawatts. So far, this is the highest power consumption index this summer -- up from 14,850 on Monday, an increase of 1,031 megawatts. Sources from the ministry stated that such a significant rise in electricity load is a natural consequence of higher temperatures, which usually lead to increased energy consumption, particularly during the peak hours -- from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Sources pointed out that load levels remain below the total output of all power stations, which is around 18,600 megawatts. Sources affirmed that the ministry is closely monitoring load levels daily and it is coordinating with various government agencies to implement energy-saving measures during peak times. They urged citizens and expatriates to adopt energy-saving practices, such as setting air conditioners to specific temperatures and turning off lights in unoccupied areas. The ministry also reported that four sub-feeders at the main Khalidiya B transformer station were out of service, leading to power outages in some parts of Adailiya. It then confirmed that the emergency teams on-site worked hard to restore power as quickly as possible.


Arab Times
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Arab Times
Kuwait's weather improves gradually from Tues. evening with possible fog
KUWAIT CITY, April 22: Director of the Meteorology Department Dhirar Al-Ali told KUNA on Tuesday that wind speeds are expected to gradually decrease starting this evening, leading to mild weather conditions. Winds will be light to moderate, ranging from eight to 32 kilometers per hour (km/h), shifting from southeastern with a chance of light fog in some areas, along with scattered clouds. Overall weather conditions are stable, with wave heights during the day expected to range between 2 to 6 feet, and between 2 to 4 feet at night, Al-Ali noted. Stable weather is expected to continue in the upcoming days, he added. Temperatures are also forecast to rise, reaching between 39 Degrees Celsius and 41 Degrees Celsius and up to 43 Degrees Celsius by Saturday. Winds will remain moderate although may occasionally strengthen, reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h. (KUNA)