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28 March 2024

Rain, hazy weather for UAE today

(Patrick Castillo)

Published
By Bindu Rai

The wet weather that has brought thunderstorms to parts of the UAE, along with neighbouring Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, is expected to continue another 48 hours with scattered showers until Thursday.

The UAE’s National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) has stated the weather on Wednesday is expected to be partly cloudy and haze, with the cloud cover expected to increase, especially over the islands, along with the northern and eastern parts of the country.

The NCMS further states visibility may drop to 2,000 metres.

The weather bureau has also stated this cloud cover may be associated with some rain, with the easten region including Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and leading into Oman.

Residents are being warned over moderate to fresh winds, which will be strong at times and reach highs of 60km per hour, especially over the sea and open areas.

Visibility is expected to drop in wake of the blowing dust and sand, coupled with the rainfall.

On Wednesday, the sea is also expected to be very rough at times in the Arabian Gulf and moderate to rough in Oman Sea.

Those looking to head outdoors and camp on Thursday evening should proceed with caution, as the hazy and partly cloudy weather over some northern and island areas, may be associated with some light rain at times.

The visibility issues will persist with high wind speeds causing blowing dust over open areas, while the marine warning stays in place for fishermen and deep sea divers.

Residents are also being warned to avoid low lying wadi areas, which may experience some flash flooding.

Gloomy Tuesday

Rain showers were experienced across the UAE by Monday afternoon, with the intensity increasing in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, along with Abu Dhabi late evening, bringing about a slight dip in temperatures.

Al Ain appeared to be the worst hit with water logging in parts of the Garden City and a similar situation was reported in Umm Al Quwain as well.

According to the UAE's weather bureau, the rainfall is expected to continue across the country on Tuesday, with a chance of thunderstorms over the islands and parts of Abu Dhabi and the internal western areas of the country. 

The low pressure system that has brought hail and thunderstorms in Saudi Arabia is moving upwards according to the National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), also bringing heavy rainfall in parts of Oman, which experienced thunderstorms last evening in the eastern region of the neighbouring country. 

The NCMS has further warned, the rainfall, coupled with fresh, strong winds, could raise dust over scattered areas and reduce visibility for drivers.

Wind speeds are expected to reach over 50km per hour over land, rising by another 10km over sea.

The marine warning is also in place for fishermen and divers, while residents are also being warned to avoid low lying coastal areas for a chance of high waves coming inland.

Authorities have also warned residents to avoid venturing into valleys and wadis in the northern emirates for chances of flash flooding in those areas.

According to the NCMS, the unstable weather is expected to return to normal by Wednesday.

Meanwhile, those hoping the wet weather would also bring in cooler climes, may be disappointed, with the NCMS ruling out any major dip in the Mercury; Monday's highest temperature was recorded at nearly 35-degree Celsius in the UAE.

Wet Monday

Residents in Dubai reported light showers on Monday afternoon after scattered rains were also felt in other Emirates in the country.

The National Center for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) for the UAE predicted rain on Sunday with a coastal warning, especially for low lying areas such as Khor Kalba, with drivers cautioned over low visibility due to rain and scattered sand over open areas.

EARLIER:

A low pressure system heading towards the UAE is expected to bring rainfall, with a chance of thunderstorms over parts of the country over 48 hours.

The National Center for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) for the UAE confirmed the news, adding that a coastal warning is also in place, especially for low lying areas such as Khor Kalba, with drivers cautioned over low visibility due to rain and scattered sand over open areas.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, a spokesperson with the NCMS further explained: “A low pressure system will sweep across the country on Monday, bringing rainfall by evening, especially in the internal western corridor of the UAE, along with scattered showers in the internal northern parts that could stretch to Dubai.

“The unstable weather pattern will spread across the country on Tuesday, with a chance of thunderstorms over the islands and perhaps parts on inland Abu Dhabi. The rest of the UAE, including Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah will receive regular rainfall.”

The NCMS also confirmed this new weather system is different from the one sweeping across parts of Oman last week, which resulted in flash flooding and accumulated water in parts of the country.

“This weather system is moving in from Saudi Arabia, which will also result in wind speeds reaching highs of 40km per hour over land and 60km per hour over sea,” the spokesperson further stated.

However, the increased cloud cover will not see any change in the Mercury level, with the temperature remaining stet, averaging 30-degrees Celsius, according to the NCMS; the humidity level is also expected to increase at night, adding to the discomfort.

Drivers are being cautioned to refrain from venturing into wadis due to a danger of flash floods, while fishermen and divers are also being told to refrain from venturing into deep waters with waves of 10 to 12 feet expected in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

The weather is expected to stabilise by Wednesday.