UAE: Rain is common during summer, but experts observe decline in downpours

There has been a gradual decline in rain during the summer season in the UAE, according to an official from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

In an interview with Khaleej Times, Dr Ahmed Habib, a climate expert at NCM, said: "We do not have as much rain in summer as compared to previous years, around this time. Over the years, the rainfall has reduced.”

He underlined: “Global warming could be one of the reasons for this. We need to study this change and what relationship this has with the pressure system and various other variables to know the actual cause.”

Rains in the UAE – particularly in Fujairah and eastern part of the country – are not unusual during summer due to the country's typical experience of low monsoon pressure from India. There has been a gradual decrease, however, in these occurrences over the years.

Average rainfall

According to Climate Knowledge Portal, from 1991 to 2020, the UAE averaged between 140 – 200 mm of rainfall per year, with some mountainous areas experiencing up to 350 mm/year. Recent statistics reveal the annual rainfall is apparently about 100mm a year now.

The exception was last year, when the UAE’s east coast was hammered by torrential rain and strong winds for a couple of days. The country recorded its highest amount of rainfall in 27 years in the month of July.

After two days of incessant rains, Fujairah’s port station recorded 255.2mm of water, which was the highest in the UAE during the month of July. The second highest was recorded in Masafi which was 209.7mm and the third highest was noted in Fujairah Airport with 187.9mm of rain.

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