Heavy rain and thunder hit Abu Dhabi and Dubai as hail fell in the Northern Emirates on Wednesday after safety alerts were issued over more adverse weather to come.
The National Centre of Meteorology warned of rain, thunder, dusty conditions and strong winds of up to 55kph set to sweep across the Emirates throughout the day.
Rumbles of thunder and cracks of lightning were heard over leaden skies in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as both emirates were lashed by torrential rain.
Storm Centre, a popular online weather tracking platform, shared footage of flurries of hail covering the ground in Fujairah.
A driver escaped unhurt after his car was swept away as he attempted to cross a severely flooded valley in Fujairah, prompting a safety plea from police.
The incident took place in Wadi Al Halah, in Dibba Al Fujairah after the area was inundated by heavy rain.
“The driver wasn’t injured. It is very dangerous to attempt to cross flowing wadis during heavy rains,” the force said in a statement.
The unstable weather comes as the country braces for the peak of the storms on Thursday night and Friday morning, with severe downpours and even a risk of isolated tornadoes.
Abu Dhabi Police on Wednesday morning reduced speed limits to 100kph on a stretch of Sheikh Khalifa International Road as a safety measure.
The force asked drivers to “exercise caution due to the rainy weather” and to follow variable speed limits displayed on electronic signboards.
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Clouds over Abu Dhabi, as seen from Reem Island. Gareth Cox / The National -
A man walks with an umbrella as heavy rain hits Sharjah. Ahmed Ramzan / The National -
Heavy rain fell across the UAE while safety alerts were issued over more adverse weather to come. Ahmed Ramzan / The National -
Another day of heavy rain and flooding in central Abu Dhabi as the National Centre of Meteorology forecast downpours, thunder and windspeeds of up to 55kph for March 25. Victor Besa / The National -
After two days of torrential downpours, residents in the capital were preparing for the rain with waterproof clothing or the ever-reliable umbrella. Victor Besa / The National -
In Sharjah City at Clock Tower roundabout, this resident improvised with a reusable plastic bag to keep the rain off. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Some residents who braved the rain in Sharjah City chose to move as fast as they could through the raindrops. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Birds of a feather gather as the rain falls in Satwa, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Covering your property from the rain in Satwa, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
In its latest five-day weather bulletin, the NCM forecasts heavy rain in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and across the Northern Emirates throughout Wednesday.
It said winds of various strength could lift dust and sand, hampering visibility.
Windy, a global weather forecasting platform, predicts bouts of thunder and lightning could hit Dubai between 1pm and 10pm tonight.
Severe downpours are expected in Dubai from 1pm, with up to 25mm of rain expected throughout the day, Windy's online map shows.
In Abu Dhabi, thunder and lightning is expected from about 7pm to 10pm, with more rain on the way during the day.
Meanwhile, the UAE's General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat called on worshippers in rain-affected areas to perform prayers at home.
The authority said the Dhuhr and Asr prayers could be held together, as well as Maghrib and Isha prayers, at mosques which remain operational.
The directives were issued as a precautionary measure to boost public safety.
Safety alert
The Ministry of Interior called on the public to exercise caution during the adverse weather, warning of heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning in the coming days.
The ministry urged people to take care when driving, reduce their speed on the roads, avoid flood-prone areas and stay away from beaches and the sea.
UAE braces for storm
By Thursday evening, heavy rain is forecast to build in Abu Dhabi emirate before spreading nationwide.
An NCM forecaster told The National rain is set to begin in the west before moving across the country overnight until the morning. “The patterns can change,” the forecaster said. “But there will be heavy rain at times and strong winds.”
The full impact of the system remains uncertain, but high winds, thunderstorms and localised flooding are possible, with some international forecasters not ruling out a rare tornado in the region.
Jason Nicholls, lead international forecaster at AccuWeather, told The National that rain and thunderstorms will continue from eastern Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE into eastern Oman until Friday.
“A strong area of low pressure aloft will enhance the coverage of the precipitation Thursday into Friday with a good chance for hail, damaging wind gusts, isolated tornadoes and areas of flash flooding,” he said. Mr Nicholls said there was a reported tornado along the coast of Saudi Arabia near Bahrain on Monday and that “the ingredients for a tornado will remain in place”.
