Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates face widespread atmospheric instability on Thursday, October 15, 2026, bringing gusty winds, blowing dust from Libya, and scattered rainfall across multiple regions as autumn conditions intensify.
Dust Storms and Wind Disruption Sweep Across Egyptian Governorates
Dense dust originating from eastern Libya crossed into Egypt’s far western territory on Wednesday evening, shrouding El Salloum, Sidi Barrani, and the Matrouh desert in reduced visibility. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority reported that sustained winds reaching 30 to 40 kilometers per hour pushed the particulate matter eastward into the Nile Delta, the Suez Canal cities, and parts of Greater Cairo.
Mahmoud Al-Qayati, a meteorological forecaster with the agency, warned that the shifting air masses caused temperatures to rise temporarily by roughly two degrees above normal levels before the arrival of the cold front.
Low Pressure System Forces Mediterranean Maritime Warnings
A surface low-pressure system anchored over the Mediterranean forced maritime authorities to issue strict navigation warnings across northern coastal waters.
Rough seas battered several key commercial and fishing ports, driving wave heights up significantly.
| Affected Coastal Zone | Wind Speed | Wave Height |
|---|---|---|
| Salloum, Matrouh, and El Alamein | 40–70 km/h | 2.5–4.5 meters |
| Alexandria, Baltim, and Damietta | 40–70 km/h | 2.0–3.5 meters |
| Port Said and Gamasa | 40–70 km/h | 2.0–3.5 meters |
Rainfall Forecasts Across the Three Nations
Precipitation patterns varied widely across the region as seasonal upper-air disturbances interacted with local topography. In Egypt, light to moderate showers hit parts of the northern coasts and the northern Delta, with occasional thunder reported around Matrouh and Salloum at a 20% to 30% probability rate. Lighter, sporadic drops drifted into Greater Cairo and the Canal zone with minimal accumulation, while southern regions such as Halayeb and Shalateen faced a 30% chance of isolated thundershowers.
Daytime Temperatures Settle into Autumn Ranges
Daytime temperatures retreated from the temporary midweek spike, settling into comfortable autumn ranges. Cairo and the Lower Egypt governorates recorded daytime highs around 28 degrees Celsius with overnight lows slipping back to 19 degrees. Southern Upper Egypt remained hot, with Aswan peaking at 35 degrees.
