Bahrain will find itself in the middle of a region-wide cold snap until the end of the week, according to forecasters.

North-westerly winds now hitting the country have led to a dramatic drop in temperatures and prompted a warning from experts.

High-velocity winds with speeds of up to 27 knots at times will continue for the next few days, a Civil Aviation Affairs meteorology directorate official said yesterday.

Rising sand and dust haze are expected today.

"The temperatures will, however, gradually increase and reach (a minimum of) around 14C by Thursday," the official said.

"This weather is not unusual for this time of the year. We have had these conditions earlier when the temperature has fallen to 10C or lower."

He said the maximum temperature recorded at Bahrain International Airport yesterday was 15C, with a minimum of 10C. This is expected to increase to a maximum of 19C and a minimum of 14C by Thursday. – TradeArabia News Service