UAE weather: warning issued for wind and dust in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Wednesday

Drivers urged to take care on the roads and avoid taking videos on their phones

A sandstorm hit Dubai on September 25, 2021. Pawan Singh / The National.

The storm reduced visibility across the city. Pawan Singh / The National.

Motorists exercised caution as the storm made driving conditions challenging. Pawan Singh / The National.

Buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road were hidden by a blanket of sand. Pawan Singh / The National.

Traffic slowed on Dubai's motorways as the storm swept in. Pawan Singh / The National.

The sun failed to pierce through a thick layer of sand and dust in the air. Pawan Singh / The National.

Motorists maintained a safe distance from one another to avoid collision. Pawan Singh / The National.

Weather forecasters have issued an alert warning of gusty winds, dust and reduced visibility in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Fresh south-easterly winds with speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour will blow dust and sand over an area stretching from Dubai to the south of the capital, encroaching deep inland.

The alert is in force up to 6pm.

Police in Abu Dhabi warned drivers to take care on the roads and avoid taking videos on their phones.

It will be a hot day, with temperatures of up to 37°C in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and as high as 39°C in some areas.

Conditions in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea will be calm.

Thursday will also be dusty at times, with light to moderate winds.

Temperatures will continue to edge up towards the end of the week, with forecasters predicting highs of 41°C on Friday in the capital and 39°C in Dubai.

Temperatures will fall back a little at the weekend to highs of 37°C on Saturday and 34°C on Sunday. It will be partly sunny and hazy at times.