UAE: Hailstorms, rain lash some parts; cloud-seeding operations to continue throughout summer

Heavy rain and hailstorms have battered some parts of the country as the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said residents could expect some unstable weather patterns in June, consistent with the usual trends.

The Met department reported rain accompanied by hail in Muzeira (Ajman), Wadi Sharm and recorded light to heavy rainfall in various parts of the country. The national weather forecaster said summer rains are not uncommon in the UAE as the country typically experiences low monsoon pressure from India.

Weather monitoring account Storm Centre posted several videos on Twitter showing flooding in the valleys, people enjoying the cooler temperature and gathering hail stones. They also shared videos of motorists navigating through heavy rain and strong winds while driving.

Dr Ahmed Habib from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) explained to Khaleej Times: “We’ve been witnessing cloud cover over certain parts of the country. But if we talk about the entire span of summer, we do have rains due to climate change. The mountains in the east will be affected. We have a chance of convective clouds over the Eastern region that is likely to give us rains.

“The local effect of convective clouds will give us rains during the summer months. This has been the trend in the month of June in general.”

Cloud seeding

The meteorologist also said the rain-bearing capacity of these convective clouds is perfect for cloud seeding.

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