Egypt braces for seasonal Khamaseen dust storm

Egypt is bracing for a brutal Khamaseen dust storm, meaning fifty in Arabic, in the final days of April, as the General Authority for Meteorology forecasts severe weather conditions from April 29 through May 4, Report informs referring to the Egyptian Streets.

The coming days are expected to usher in heavy dust, strong winds, and possible thunderstorms, particularly in the country’s northwestern regions.

The Khamaseen storm will bring temperatures soaring to nearly 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, as hot southwesterly winds gusting up to 80 kilometers per hour sweep through, according to the Arab Weather Center.

These winds are set to stir up thick clouds of dust, severely affecting air quality and visibility, particularly in Greater Cairo, the Canal cities, the Sinai Peninsula, and the East Coast. As the dust storm moves away by April 30 night, cooler and more humid northwesterly currents will follow, causing temperatures to drop sharply by as much as 10 degrees Celsius in Cairo, while lingering dust remains a concern in the north.

Khamaseen dust storm gets its name from the fifty-day period during which the phenomenon typically occurs each spring.

These powerful storms are fueled by sharp pressure differences, as air from high-pressure areas is driven towards low-pressure areas, creating wind that sweeps hot desert air from southwest Egypt across the Sahara Desert and southern Mediterranean, reaching northeastern Egypt and the Levant.

This seasonal phenomenon typically strikes during the spring months, carrying dry and dust-laden winds. Wind speeds can soar to 140 kilometers per hour, humidity levels drop below 5 percent in areas, and temperatures may rise as much as 20 degrees Celsius within a matter of hours.

Khamaseen storms present serious public health concerns, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and young children. The fine dust particles carried by the winds can aggravate asthma, provoke allergic reactions, and lead to eye and skin irritation. In addition to the health hazards, the storms sharply reduce visibility, heightening the risk of traffic accidents and causing widespread disruption to transportation networks.