Thunder rumbles over Abu Dhabi and downpours in Ghantoot

Rain falls on outskirts of capital as unsettled weather continues

A man rides his bicycle during a brief downpour in the Mussaffah industrial area in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Rain fell in Abu Dhabi as unsettled summer weather continued across the country. Victor Besa / The National

The National Centre of Meteorology issued a forecast for rain in the morning, accompanied by strong winds that could reach 45 kilometres per hour. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi is expected to have a maximum temperature of 42°C in the next few days. Victor Besa / The National

Low clouds hung over Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National

Temperatures hovered at around 36ºC in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Thunder was heard rumbling in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday afternoon and rain fell in the suburbs as unsettled summer weather continued.

Low cloud hung over the capital along with Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

In Baniyas, a suburb of the capital to the south, there was heavy rain which followed a downpour in Al Ain on Tuesday. In Ghantoot, there were reports of heavy flooding.

Temperatures hovered at around 36ºC in Dubai and 35ºC in Abu Dhabi, but moisture in the air made it feel more like 44ºC, forecaster AccuWeather reported.

The lowest temperature of 24.4°C was recorded in Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah.

Baniyas to Al Fayah Road: video

The National Centre of Meteorology issued a forecast for rain in the morning accompanied by strong winds that could reach 45kmph.

This could cause dust, leading to low visibility at times, especially in the east and south of the country. The warning was issued from 9am until 9pm.

Police urged caution on the roads.On Tuesday, heavy rain, floods and high winds hit Al Ain and other eastern parts of the UAE and, according to NCM, the conditions are likely to persist over the next few days.

AccuWeather said there is a slight chance of rain today.

Looking ahead

On Thursday, it will be partly cloudy, with a chance of rain over some coastal and internal areas, with a dip in temperature. Light to moderate southeasterly to northeasterly winds are also expected.

On Friday and Saturday, it will remain cloudy with a chance of rainfall in the east and south of the country. The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman.

On Sunday, cloudy conditions are expected and there will be rain clouds in the east and south.

NCM predicts maximum temperatures will reach 39°C in Dubai and 42°C in Abu Dhabi in the next few days.

Low-pressure systems are drifting across from India, which is in the middle of its monsoon season.

Some of these systems also cause the phenomenon known as “khareef”, which encourages plant growth and turns parts of southern Oman green. It can also bring rainfall to the UAE.

Oman has also been lashed by storms and winds over the past few days.