UAE weather: Heavy rain and hail recorded amid unsettled conditions

Tropical weather system caused by convergence of trade winds is affecting UAE

The UAE could be in for an overcast week ahead. Antonie Robertson / The National

Related: Rain hits UAE as one dead in Oman flooding

Heavy rain and hail was reported in parts of the UAE on Monday afternoon as the country braces for a week of unstable weather.

Much of the Emirates will experience cloudy conditions in the days ahead with rainfall also in prospect in some areas as a tropical weather system affects the country.

The National Centre of Meteorology forecast wet weather in the east and south in particular, from Monday until Thursday, accompanied by a slight drop in temperatures.

The weather centre reported downpours and hail on the Dubai-Al Ain Road and the Masakin area of Al Ain shortly before 4pm on Monday.

The NCM said the spell of unstable weather was a result of an extension of what is known as the “intertropical convergence zone”.

This is a system associated with clouds, showers and even storms and is caused by the convergence of the trade winds.

Trade winds move typically from the east and curve towards the equator. Warm, moist air is forced upwards, cools and then can lead to showers that are often intense in Earth's midsection.

The system is also associated with what is known in seafaring circles as "the doldrums".

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is often little surface wind in the zone, making navigating waters hugely challenging for sailors in some instances.

For the UAE, the NCM said the system could bring light to moderate winds, fresh at times, blowing from the south-east to north-east, becoming north-westerly at times, with convective clouds causing blowing dust and sand, which will reduce visibility.

It forecast light to moderate waves in the Arabian Gulf, becoming rough at times on Tuesday in the Sea of Oman.

Maximum temperatures on Monday were expected to be 45°C, with lows of 28°C in inland.

The centre said these conditions were expected to last past midweek and underlined it was monitoring the situation round the clock and will continue providing updates.

Already some areas of the country have been hit by downpours.

Storm Centre, a popular social media account that tracks UAE weather, posted over the past 24 hours videos of rain falling in parts of the country’s east coast such as Khor Fakkan and around Fujairah City.

It shared further footage on Monday of a driver navigating wet weather on the Dubai

These patterns could also bring some respite from the summer heat. Temperatures have already crossed the 50ºC threshold several times this summer. Authorities have taken action to ease the impact of this intense heat.

The UAE has introduced its midday break for outdoor workers, which is in place until September, while Friday prayers have been shortened to 10 minutes until October.