Rain clouds gather over Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Heavy rain lashed various areas of the country on Saturday.

Rain started in the east of Assab, in Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, while light to medium rain lashed Al Hayer, Al Faqah, Sweihan and Nahel in Al Ain, as well as on Al Shawamekh, Al Khatim and Abu Dhabi Island.

Rain was witnessed in Jebel Ali in the Emirate of Dubai and on Al Madam in the Emirate of Sharjah. Dibba Al-Fujairah,Khorfakkan also experienced moderate rain.

Due to the effect of an upper air depression from the northwest resulted in the formation of clouds and rain.

These clouds were reportedly were accompanied with rainy cumulus clouds, on separate areas of the country, especially the north and east, with lightning, thunder and active winds.

The National Meteorological Centre (NMC) predicts the Sunday weather to be generally cloudy, with cumulative rainy clouds over separate areas of the country. Winds are expected to blow southeasterly, turning northwesterly, moderate, active, and dust-stirring, causing occasional low visibility.

According to the NMC, wind speed will be ranging from 20 to 38 up to 50 kilometres/h, especially with clouds.

A rain-lashed street in Al Ain.

The sea is expected to be turbulent in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

"Chances of rain fall will continue until next Wednesday. The weather will be partly cloudy, becoming cloudy with more clouds, and there will be an opportunity for separate rains." The NMC indicated.

According to the NMC, the weather will be fluctuating on Sunday and Monday with low and medium clouds accompanied sometimes with cumulus clouds and different rains on separate areas, especially the northern and eastern. These will be accompanied with thunder and lightning, and will lead to the flow of some valleys.

The Centre appealed to individuals to exercise caution while driving during the rains, especially with the low horizontal visibility, caused by strong winds, which stir dust. People were also advised to stay away from water gathering areas and runoff of valleys.

The Abu Dhabi Police appealed to drivers to adhere to law and rules during driving, warning against driving in the valleys and not to comply with traffic laws.

The Directorate of Traffic and Patrols of the Central Operations affirmed the keenness to monitor through civil control patrols with the aim of eliminating the negative conducts.

The Directorate also stressed the monitoring of the areas where young people gather to do such reckless actions.

"We are keen to do our best to limit driving recklessly and drivers are urged to leave a sufficient safety distance to avoid accidents. The law will be applied on all who violate it and we are keen to stop them, impound their vehicles, and legal measures will be taken against them,” the Directorate said.