UAE weather: Cooler weekend conditions follow safety alert over heavy rain

Dust and sandstorms expected with a chance of more wet weather next week

Parts of Dubai experienced heavy rain and thunder on Friday morning. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A street cleaner at work on Friday morning in central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Motorists in Abu Dhabi were advised to maintain a safe distance and avoid pools of water. Victor Besa / The National

Heavy clouds over central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Warning signs on the roads in central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Conditions in the Arabian Gulf are also set to be rough going into Friday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Public sector workers in Dubai will work remotely on Friday, due to the wet weather. Pawan Singh / The National

Police across the Emirates have advised drivers to slow down in the rain and keep a safe distance between vehicles. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Fair Supermarket staff watch the strong downpour in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Morning rain greeted commuters in Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning. Victor Besa / The National

The National Centre of Meteorology issued a yellow alert for much of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, forecasting rain and low visibility until 8.30pm on Thursday. Victor Besa / The National

A more severe orange alert is in place for the east, with members of the public told to expect 'hazardous weather events'. Victor Besa / The National

The NCM said that people should avoid areas hit by flooding and heavy rain. Victor Besa / The National

Global forecaster Windy said heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi Police also warned drivers to exercise caution due to reduced visibility. Victor Besa / The National

In its daily weather bulletin, the NCM said temperatures in Abu Dhabi and Dubai would reach highs of 35ºC on Thursday. Victor Besa / The National

Heavier downpours were expected later in the day. Victor Besa / The National

The weather bureau has warned that the wet weather across the Northern Emirates will continue until at least Friday. Victor Besa / The National

The unstable weather comes after Tropical Cyclone Tej made landfall in Oman this week. Victor Besa / The National

Poor visibility in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Humid conditions in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Low clouds and grey skies over the emirate. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Rain is expected to continue to lash northern parts of the country. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Motorists in Abu Dhabi were given advice about how to travel safely. Victor Besa / The National

Temperatures are expected to fall to 32°C in Dubai and 33°C in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, and for weather to remain largely dry at the weekend, after two days of stormy conditions.

The National Centre of Meteorology expects the mercury to creep up as humidity levels rise after heavy rainfall and thunderstorms that hit the Northern Emirates on Thursday night and Friday morning.

The downpours prompted some organisations to issue work-from-home orders and affected schools offered remote learning.

Dubai Municipality said on Friday that it handled 279 calls during the rainy period, which were responded to by 484 engineers and technicians, and 1,150 assisting workers.

Slightly cooler weather is expected in Abu Dhabi at night with lows of 25°C and 22°C on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Temperatures in Sharjah and Fujairah will reach 31°C and 32°C on Saturday, with lows of 23°C and 25°C, respectively.

In its weekly bulletin, the weather bureau warns that more rain could fall early next week.

While temperatures will rise to 36°C in Dubai at the start of next week, foggy conditions will begin to form on Saturday with wind speeds of up to 35kph, kicking up dust and sand and reducing visibility.

However, the mercury will drop considerably in the evenings to the low twenties on Tuesday.

Clouds will linger for a few days, with rain possible in Dubai on Monday and Tuesday.

Wind speeds early next week will reach up to 40kph, and the conditions in the Arabian Sea will be calm.

Days of rain

The clearer conditions come after downpours, thunderstorms and lightning battered the Northern Emirates on Thursday and Friday.

Heavy rain started to move across Dubai and the Northern Emirates into the east of the country on Thursday afternoon.

The downpours in Dubai and Abu Dhabi started early in the day, with thunder and lightning occurring in both emirates on Thursday evening.

The unstable weather continued into Friday with parts of Dubai lashed by heavy rain accompanied by thunder in the morning.

The UAE Cabinet on Thursday advised public sector workers and public schools to return to remote working and distance learning in response to the adverse weather.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation urged private-sector companies “to apply flexible work patterns” in a post issued on social media platform, X, formerly Twitter.