Lebanon: Storm ’Vladimir’ Batters New Year

Local Editor

Lebanon's first day of 2016 began with heavy rain and white snow in the northern and eastern regions as storm Vladimir hit the country after weeks of warm weather and only light showers.

According to the Meteorological Department at Beirut International Airport, the storm will intensify Friday with further drops in temperature and snowfall down to altitudes of 600 and less in northern areas.

Meanwhile, temperatures will range between 6 and 12 degrees along the coast, 1 and 4 in the mountains, -2 and -6 in the Cedars, and 1 and 5 in the Bekaa Valley.

Besides, heavy rain and strong winds in the northern district of Akkar wrecked shops and homes.

"Vladimir," coming from Russia, is affecting the eastern basin of the Mediterranean, bringing in a low pressure system with cold air masses.

Navigation in the port city of Sidon was also disrupted by the storm as fishermen were unable to carry out their usual activities.

Relatively, the wind reached speeds of 50 kilometers per hour in some areas, leading to the collapse of a window in a car dealership, wrecking several vehicles.

Some of the agriculture tents were destroyed along the coastal road from Rmeileh in the Chouf area to the southern town of Zahrani, causing damage.

In parallel, rains flooded several houses in the southern district of Tyre with strong winds closing off the port of the city.

As for Saturday, the Meteorological Office expected the weather to be partly cloudy with the formation of ice on mountains and inner roads, while Sunday will see a rise in temperatures and rain showers accompanied by thunder and strong winds in the evening.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team