UAE weather alert: Rain with thunderstorms to hit the country; residents advised to exercise caution

The UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has predicted heavy rainfall in some parts of the country until Saturday and residents should expect an increase in wet weather accompanied by hail.

The Met Department has issued a weather advisory, warning residents about potential thunderstorms. Heavy rains may be accompanied by lightning over scattered areas of the country, especially eastward, southward and extending towards some internal areas and the Al Dhafrah region.

Now, in a fresh advisory, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority urged residents to be cautious during inclement weather and to follow official reports for updates.

The Ministry of Interior issued a weather alert, urging residents to adhere to rules during unstable weather conditions. The authority reiterated to the public to listen to weather bulletins from official sources and to follow the advices and instructions from the concerned authorities.

Motorists are urged to check the vehicle's validity of the lights, wipers, and tires before leaving home during rain. Speeding must be avoided at all times.

From Wednesday until Saturday, the NCM forecasted the possibility of convective cloud formation associated with rainfall of different intensities. Among the areas that could witness rain in the coming days are Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, and Fujairah, a top NCM official told Khaleej Times.

On Wednesday, Maleha and Al Rwaidha areas in Sharjah experienced moderate to heavy rainfall. Additionally, there were light to moderate showers in the Al Faya and Khidayah areas. Weather monitoring social media account Storm Centre shared videos of downpours in Sharjah.

The NCM explained that the current weather fluctuation is due to the occurrence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). This zone is shifting southward over the country, accompanied by changes in both surface and upper-level air pressures – moving from the south to the north.

With unstable weather expected, the authorities urged residents to avoid valleys in the coming days, as a downpour could lead to flooding. According to experts, many people drive into valleys without realising how quickly water levels can rise and their vehicles can get caught in the strong currents.

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