Egypt Closes El-Arish Seaport Due to Bad Weather

On Wednesday, the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) decided to close El-Arish port, due to the dust storms, and strong winds that blow up at the North Sinai governorate.

In a statement, an official source at El-Arish Sea Port confirmed that the decision was taken to ensure the preservation of people, ships, sidewalks, and goods, indicating that the port will be reopened once the weather improves later this week

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) issued Monday a warning of rapid weather changes due to the spring season.

It stated that the country will be affected between 11 pm, Monday to 8 pm, Tuesday by a five-point air depression coming from the Libyan desert heading to the east of Egypt.

The authority warned that this depression will lead to wind activity in most parts of the country, which will cause sand and dust to reach storm levels in some areas.

The wind speed is predicted to reach 40 and 50 km/hour, which leads to reducing visibility on the desert and open roads to less than 500 meters.

There will also be a disruption of maritime navigation in the Mediterranean Sea with waves will range between 2 to 3.5 meters, in the Red Sea with waves will range between 1 to 3 meters and in the Gulf of Suez region with waves will range between 3 to 5 meters.

The authority stressed the need to take all necessary preparations and measures to reduce the impact of the expected weather phenomenon.

In addition, the experts predicted hot weather to prevail in Cairo, Lower Egypt, South Sinai and North Upper Egypt, during daylight hours on Tuesday.

It is also foreseen that extremely hot weather to prevail in South Upper Egypt, while the Western coasts will see pleasant weather and the Eastern coasts will see moderate conditions.

Furthermore, there are 30% chances of light rain hitting intermittently in the Western coasts, Lower Egypt and South Sinai.

They also predict that cold weather will prevail in Cairo, Lower Egypt and Northern coasts, at night. It is also foreseen that pleasant weather in North Upper Egypt and South Sinai, which will be moderate in South Upper Egypt.