Dust storms approach Cairo amid Khamaseeni low pressure system: Here’s what to know/do

CAIRO – 30 April 2025: As the day unfolds, expect strong winds stirring up dust and sand across Egypt impacting Cairo and other northern regions. This weather event is attributed to the arrival of the first Khamaseeni low pressure system of this spring season in the country.

Khamaseeni lows typically bring dry and hot winds, with soaring temperatures as they sweep in from the Sahara in North Africa, laden with dust and sand.

Here’s What to Expect

Today’s strong winds, which may reach speeds of 40 to 60 km/h, will lead to reduced visibility in several areas, including northern Upper Egypt, southeastern Cairo, Sinai, the Gulf of Suez, and the Suez Canal cities.

In certain regions, gusts could escalate to 70-80 km/h, potentially causing visibility to drop below 1,000 meters and even reach storm levels in parts of northern Upper Egypt and southeastern Cairo.

The stirrings of sand have already been noted since yesterday in the Western Desert and Siwa Oasis, following the low pressure’s movement into Egypt's southwestern borders.

Siwa has reported wind speeds of 78 km/h, leading to diminished visibility.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) has indicated that this low pressure system will also bring a temporary rise in temperatures by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius across the country.

Suspending Classes

In light of the adverse weather conditions, the Egyptian Ministry of Education has decided to suspend classes on Wednesday in all schools nationwide to ensure the safety of students.

Additionally, monthly tests scheduled for today have been postponed to next week.

The EMA expects hot daytime conditions today in Greater Cairo, South Sinai, and northern Upper Egypt, while the northern coasts will experience milder weather. The southern regions will see very hot temperatures.

Nighttime and early morning conditions will generally be temperate across most areas.

Some Wet Weather Too!

The low pressure system may also bring moderate to heavy rain, possibly accompanied by thunderstorms and hail in parts of Matrouh, extending to lighter rain in the northern coasts and the Nile Delta.

There’s even a chance of light thunderstorms in Greater Cairo, northern Upper Egypt, the canal cities, and Sinai.

Maritime activities on the Gulf of Suez are expected to be disrupted, with wave heights reaching 2 to 3 meters due to the strong winds associated with this weather system.

Allergy Sufferer?

The Ministry of Health has advised sinus patients to avoid irritants such as smoking and strong cleaning agents during the dust storm.

They recommend wearing masks to prevent dust from entering the airways.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Health Hossam Abdel Ghaffar emphasizes the importance of limiting outdoor activities unless necessary, wearing masks or covering the mouth and nose, staying hydrated, and keeping windows closed to keep dust at bay.

For asthma patients, it’s crucial to only go out when absolutely necessary and to use prescribed inhalers beforehand, he notes.

In light of these weather conditions, the EMA has provided the following safety tips:

Drive cautiously on roads affected by dust and sand.Stay clear of lighting poles, billboards, and trees.Wear masks when outdoors.Keep updated with the latest weather forecasts.

Temperatures?

Today, temperatures in Cairo are expected to reach a high of 33 degrees Celsius, up from 29 degrees yesterday. For the remainder of the week, highs will stabilize around 27 degrees during the day and 17 degrees at night.

On the northern coasts, the weather remains pleasant, with highs around 21-22 degrees until Sunday, and lows around 14-15 degrees.

In northern Upper Egypt, temperatures will drop from the mid-30s to 27-28 degrees by Sunday, with lows around 15 degrees, down from 22 degrees yesterday.

Meanwhile, in the enchanting regions of Luxor and Aswan in southern Upper Egypt, temperatures will soar to nearly 40 degrees today, with a low of 23 degrees. However, highs will decrease to 31 degrees and lows to 18 degrees by Saturday.