The Northeastern Regions of Libya Witnessed Severe Weather Condition Turing the Sky Yellow on 19 & 20 January 2026

News from Members
22 January 2026

Since Monday evening, January 19, 2026 and through Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the northeastern regions of Libya have been affected by strong southeasterly winds with speeds ranging from 50 to 80 km/h. The strong gusts reached up to 100 km/h at Benina Airport Observing Station. These winds stirred dense dust and sand, reduced horizontal visibility to near-total loss or zero visibility in some areas, particularly in Benghazi Plain, AL-Marj and Gulf region.
 

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A fallen tree blocks a road as several people in red uniforms stand nearby with an emergency vehicle in smoky conditions.
Libya National Meteorological Centre ( NMC ) 

The severe weather condition also caused significant structural and environmental damages; it led to the collapse of some building walls, power towers and billboards, uprooted trees and caused damage to vehicles. Schools and government institutions in the eastern region have been closed since Monday. The Crisis Committee in this region urged the public to take maximum caution while traveling, and to adhere to the relevant authorities’ instructions. It also announced the death of two citizens. 

On 17 / 1 / 2026, the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) issued an early warning ( A Severe Orange Alert for this Region ), and disseminated it to the public sectors and via the media urging them to take more care and caution. The NMC updated this early warning daily.

Collage showing severe weather alerts, dust storm imagery, and damage including fallen trees, debris, and people responding to a sandstorm incident in a desert region.