VIDEO: Heavy rain and hailstorm witnessed in UAE, temperature drops to 16.2°C

Emad Eddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

Rain of different intensity, accompanied by lightning and thunder lashed separate areas of the country on Friday, and intermittent fog was formed, due to weather fluctuations, as the region was affected by a superficial air depression from the northeast accompanied by air depression and a cold air mass in the upper layers of the atmosphere, causing the flow of quantities of steam,  according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The formation of intermittent fog, which lasted for 7 hours started at 1am  until 9am on Razeen in Abu Dhabi, Madinat Zayed, Hameem, Bida and Dafas in the Al Dhafra, and on various parts of the country.

Light rain started at 2.00pm on Friday, on Wadi Al Qur and the Khatt area in Ras Al Khaimah. Light to medium rain with lightning and thunder fell on the south of RAK, which turned into heavy rain on Idhn and heavy rain with lightning and thunder on Al Saadi, while moderate rains fell on the Sharjah-Kalba road and other areas of the country.

The lowest temperature of 16.2°C was recorded in Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah at 6:15am on Friday at 6.15am.

The NCM expected Saturday weather to be partly cloudy to cloudy at times over separate areas, with an opportunity of rain falling, specially on some northern and eastern regions and islands. It is expected to be humid on Saturday night and Sunday morning, on some coastal and inland areas, with an opportunity of fog or light fog formation over some coastal and interior areas.

Winds are expected to be northwesterly to northeasterly, light to moderate, active at times with clouds, and blowing at a speed of 15 to 25 up to 35 kilometres/h.

The sea is expected to be light in the Arabian Gulf and in the Sea of Oman.

Sunday weather, according to the NCM, will be partly cloudy to cloudy at times over separate areas, with an opportunity of rain falling specially on the islands and some northern and eastern areas. It is humid at night and Monday morning on some coastal and interior areas, said the NCM.

Winds on Sunday are expected to be northwesterly to northeasterly, light to moderate, active at times with clouds.

Monday weather is expected to be partly cloudy to cloudy at times in some areas, with an opportunity of rain falling specially on the northern and eastern regions and islands. It will be humid at night and on Tuesday morning on some coastal and interior areas.

Winds on Monday will be southeasterly, turning to northwesterly, light to moderate, active at times, according to the NCM.

NCM called for caution while driving during rains, and with the lack of horizontal visibility, due to rains and dusty winds and advised to stay away from places of water gathering and the flow of valleys.

Abu Dhabi Police called on drivers to adhere to a speed of 80 km during the formation of fog and to leave a sufficient safety distance.

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate also warned drivers of heavy vehicles and buses not to drive during fog, stating that the fine of driving at times of fog is Dhs500 and 4 traffic points, based on the Ministerial Resolution 178 of 2017.