Rain hits parts of UAE, lowest temperature recorded at 20ºC

Emad Eddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

Various areas of the UAE experienced rainfall of varying intensity on Wednesday due to the weather conditions affecting the country. It is expected that a moist air mass from the Arabian Sea will move towards the country on Thursday and Friday, coinciding with the extension of a weak upper-level low-pressure system accompanied by a relatively cold air mass, resulting in the formation of some cumulus clouds in scattered areas, especially in the east and west, with a chance of rainfall, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The NCM added that light to moderate rains fell in Ibn Rashid and North Dammam, on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road towards Fali, and on Mahfiz Al Faya road in Sharjah, and scattered areas across the country. The lowest temperature recorded in the UAE on Wednesday was 20ºC in Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, at 12:00 midnight, while the second-lowest temperature, 21.1ºC, was recorded in Jebel Al Habn, RAK, at 05:15 local time. NCM added that Thursday's weather will be sunny to partly cloudy at times, with a chance of some cumulus clouds forming in the eastern and southern regions in the afternoon, which may be accompanied by rains.

There will be a drop in temperatures and it will be humid at night and on Friday morning in some coastal and inland areas, with a possibility of fog or light fog formation, NCM reported. Winds will be northeasterly to northwesterly, light to moderate in speed, and sometimes active, especially over the sea, stirring up dust during the day, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 kilometres/h, amounting to 40 kilometres/h and the sea will be calm to moderate in the Arabian Gulf, becoming rough in the afternoon, and calm in the Sea of Oman.

NCM indicated that Friday's weather will be sunny to partly cloudy at times, with a chance of some cumulus clouds forming in the east in the afternoon and will be humid at night and on Saturday morning in some coastal and inland areas. Winds will be northeasterly to northwesterly, light to moderate in speed, and sometimes active, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 kilometres/h, amounting to 35 kilometres/h, while the sea will be moderate to rough at times in the Arabian Gulf and calm in the Sea of Oman.

Saturday's weather is expected to be sunny to partly cloudy in general and humid at night and on Sunday morning in some coastal and inland areas, while winds will be southeasterly to northeasterly, light to moderate, and their speed will range from 10 to 25 kilometres/h, amounting to 35 kilometres/h. The sea will be moderate to rough at times in the Arabian Gulf and calm in the Sea of Oman, NCM reported.

According to the NCM, Sunday's weather will be generally clear and partly cloudy at times and humid at night and on Monday morning in some inland areas. Winds on Sunday will be southwesterly to northwesterly, light to moderate in speed, and sometimes active to strong, especially over the sea, stirring up dust, with speed ranging from 15 to 25 kilometres/h, amounting to 45 kilometres/h. The sea will be rough to very rough in the Arabian Gulf and calm to moderate in the Sea of Oman.

The NCM urged I all to exercise caution and take precautions while driving during rainfall. It advised all to stay away from areas where water accumulates and where valleys flow. Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) also calls on motorists to be cautious due to the rainy weather conditions and to adhere to the variable speed limits displayed on electronic signs and boards.