On this day nearly twenty years ago, a sandstorm enveloped much of the nation for two days, impairing visibility and disrupting road traffic, yet luckily not affecting regular airport operations. The sandstorm, which commenced at 1pm on July 6, 2005, was driven by prevailing windy conditions throughout the day. Dubai, Sharjah, the Northern Emirates, and parts of Abu Dhabi were shrouded in dust. Drivers faced challenging road conditions due to reduced visibility and powerful winds with gusts surpassing 20 knots or 37km/hr. These strong winds also caused turbulent seas, with waves reaching over 8 feet offshore and 4 feet onshore, prompting the weather office to issue a marine warning.
It was not the height of summer, and the maximum temperature at Sharjah International Airport dropped to 36°C due to the sandstorm and strong winds. Meanwhile, the temperature in Abu Dhabi was recorded at 39°C. The capital experienced a mild dust storm, and the winds provided some respite to residents from the intense heat. The next day, July 7, 2005, remained hot and hazy. A Khaleej Times photographer, Shakil Qaiser, captured an image of fine dust sweeping across Dubai's main roads, with strong gusts of wind affecting vehicles. Windy conditions persisted throughout the day, disrupting outdoor activities. The marine warning issued the previous day remained in effect as strong winds generated waves of more than five feet.
Although road traffic was affected, flight operations at Dubai International Airport continued without interruption, as visibility remained well above the required 1,000 meters for normal flight operations. The dust storm dissipated overnight, and weather conditions reverted to the usual hot and hazy state in the following days.
