UAE summer storm: Rain, dust to continue for 24 hours

The UAE experienced all the trappings of a summer storm yesterday, with rain coming down in parts of the country, accompanied with thunder and lightning, while a sandstorm raged in the late afternoon, reducing visibility to as low as 500m in areas.

A lightning strike in Al Ain also resulted in a blaze, which was contained shortly by the Civil Defence teams.

Pic: Joseph George

Meanwhile, the low pressure weather system is expected to continue for another 24 hours, according to the UAE’s National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), with more rain expected in the eastern part of the country and sporadic dust storms continuing until Tuesday, early evening.

A spokesperson for the NCMS told Emirates 24|7: “We will be experiencing this weather for another 24 hours, from time to time, which is an effect of a low pressure system centred in the southwest region of the UAE.

“With the upper trough accelerated, the surface winds reached highs of 45-50kmph, raising sand and reducing visibility in parts of the country.”

Pic: Muna Ahmad

The spokesperson continued: “However, with the surge of convective clouds, we will continue to see rain even on Tuesday, mostly in the eastern region near Fujairah and south of Al Ain.”

For pictures and video of yesterday's Al Ain storm click here

Lightning storm

As the wind speed picked up on Monday afternoon, light to moderate showers were experienced in parts of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, with the garden city bearing the brunt of the storm with a lightning strike resulting in a minor fire.

Even as traffic chaos ensued with reduced visibility due to the high winds and the sandstorm, with trees uprooted in areas, the country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster committee NCMEA, issued a series of cautionary tips to brave the stormy conditions.

The organisation tweeted: “In case strong wind blasts while you are in the car, leave the car and head to the nearest safe place. Make sure your vehicle is parked in a safe place, to avoid any damages to be caused by the storm.

“Do not allow children with respiratory, Asthma and allergic diseases to go out except in utmost urgent cases. Do not allow children to play outside the house.”

The NCEMA continued: “Make sure the tools existing in the house yard are secured. Make sure you close all windows firmly, and support them using wooden slabs. Listen and watch weather forecasts, official media and social media websites.”

Marine warning issued

Even as neighbouring Oman bore the brunt of the summer storm, the NCMS also issued a marine warning in the UAE, warning fishermen of rough seas and high waves, reaching beyond six feet, with a possibility of high waves hitting the Kalba shores.

The NCMS spokesperson said: “We don’t expect water to flood parts of the country, but we are issuing a marine warning until Tuesday for the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea, warning of high waves and rough waters.”

Summer over?

As the country reeled from the freak storm, many took to social media, wondering whether the rains were a sign of summer finally coming to an end.

The NCMS said: “August is historically a month when temperatures drop from the sizzling heat of July, however, that has not been the case this year. The maximum temperature on Sunday reached 49.5 degrees Celsius in Sweihan, while Al Shaab hovered near 49 degrees and Zayed City was a degree lesser.”

The spokesperson continued: “It has been close to 50 degrees these past few days in the interior parts of the country and this will continue in a similar fashion until we come closer to September, which will witness an average 3-degree drop in the Mercury.”

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