Weather alert: Rain hits Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates as UAE shivers through chilliest day
Temperatures plunge below 3°C in RAK
DUBAI: Residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) woke to a chilly, rain-soaked Friday morning, with temperatures plunging to their lowest this winter.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) recorded the coldest temperature yet, a frosty 2.2 degree Celsius at Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, at 6:45AM.
Rain showers were reported across five emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Rain hits UAE
Key Dubai areas like Umm Suqeim, Jumeirah, Al Safa, and Al Jaddaf saw light to moderate rainfall, leaving roads slick and demanding extra caution from motorists.
In Abu Dhabi, light rain fell in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, while Sharjah’s Suhaila area and parts of Umm Al Quwain also experienced showers.
Blustery winds were reported in Abu Dhabi’s Al Ghadeer area, where rain lashed the streets.
Alert for motorists
The NCM issued alerts for motorists, urging slower speeds, working windshield wipers, and the use of low-beam headlights during rainy conditions. “Stay away from road edges and avoid sudden braking,” warned Dubai Police as they emphasised road safety.
Elsewhere, partly cloudy to cloudy skies were seen in northern and eastern regions, with a possibility of fog or mist by Saturday morning over some inland areas. Winds from the northwest to northeast, reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h, caused blowing dust in several locations.
The Arabian Gulf experienced rough to moderate sea conditions, while the Oman Sea remained relatively calm. The NCM also noted that temperatures across the UAE would range from 11°C to 24°C, with a chance of freezing precipitation in mountainous regions.
The weather is set to remain cool and breezy, making it essential for residents to exercise caution while driving and to stay informed of changing weather updates.