UAE weather: Charts show major weather front set to hit Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Rain could fall on Tuesday night or early on Wednesday

Women take cover from rain on Kite Beach, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

UPDATE: All schools in UAE to close on Wednesday due to rain

A major weather front is approaching the UAE – with rain and thunder forecast to hit on Tuesday night or early on Wednesday.

Charts from the National Centre of Meteorology and global forecasters showed a storm approaching from the north-west of the Arabian Gulf, likely to reach Dubai before Abu Dhabi.

The expected weather prompted a warning from the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office who asked motorists to take care while driving and for people to keep checking the bureau for updates.

Strong winds will blow dust and reduce visibility in some parts of the Emirates on Tuesday.

Temperatures could reach 31°C in Abu Dhabi and 30°C in Dubai, the NCM said.

Winds may reach up to 45 kilometres per hour by the coast.

The sea will be moderate to rough in the Gulf, becoming choppier by night. The Sea of Oman will be moderate to rough.

By Wednesday afternoon, rain will likely be falling across the country, sweeping eastwards from the Gulf. The skies are expected to clear by Thursday afternoon ahead of a dry but cool weekend.

While bad weather is a rarity across much of the UAE, downpours can be torrential when they do occur.

"It's a time of transition between summer and winter, so the pressure system changes quickly and creates unstable weather conditions," Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist at the NCM, previously told The National.

Last week, a storm swept across the UAE causing flooding and widespread damage as cranes were knocked over and trees were uprooted.

The Ministry of Interior sent out a warning to all residents and Emiratis asking them to stay indoors, unless absolutely necessary, until conditions calmed.