Cars move at a slow pace on Dubai-Abu Dhabi Road.

Syed Shayaan Bakht/ Emadeddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

A timelapse video captured a dust storm sweeping across Dubai on Friday morning.

Visibility was reduced to approximately 500 metres.

The authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution in the streets.

Heavy rain was also experienced in several areas of the UAE on Friday afternoon.

Light rain began falling at 3:30 pm on Al Shuwaib and Malaqet areas in Al Ain, and medium to heavy rain on Al Khader and Khat Al Shikla in Al Ain, turning into heavy rain with hailstones.

While Lahbab in Dubai witnessed light to medium rain, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

Al Jazeera area in Al Dhafra region recorded the country’s lowest temperature on Thursday morning that was 20.6ºC at 5:30 am, the NCM said.

The NCM said, “Heavy rain with hail over Al Ain – Dubai Road towards Margham in Dubai and Al Badayer road – Nazwa in Sharjah.

The NCM said that the lowest temperature recorded over the UAE on Friday was 20.6°C in Al Jazeera B.G, Al Dhafra Region at 05:30 UAE Local time.  

The highest temperature recorded over the UAE was 45.7°C in Sweihan, Al Ain at 15:00 UAE Local Time.

The NCM earlier said, “A chance of rainy convective cloud associated with fresh winds and strong at times with speed of 45 km/hr. causing blowing dust and sand reducing the horizontal visibility at times over some Eastern areas from 14:00 to 19:00 Friday 24/09/2021.”

The Department of Municipalities and Transport- Al Ain Municipality on Friday issued a weather alert, stating that an opportunity for cumulus clouds to be accompanied by rain and active winds that may shift dust and dirt over separate areas.

The Department called on road users and motorists exercise caution and follow the traffic rules.

Allergy sufferers are also advised to take the necessary precautions. It also urges the public to be careful and stay away from the places of surface run-offs.

For reports and emergencies, please call 993.

The NCM also indicated that the weather on Saturday is expected to be fair to partly cloudy and hazy at times, with a chance of some convective clouds formation may be rainy eastward and southward by afternoon.

Humid by night and Sunday morning with a probability of fog or mist formation over some coastal and internal areas. Light to moderate southeasterly, becoming northeasterly and northwesterly winds, freshening at times with the clouds causing blowing dust and sand, with a speed of 15 – 25, reaching 40 km/hr. The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.

It is also expected to remain fair to partly cloudy and hazy at times on Sunday.

Temperatures tend to decrease over some inland areas.

Humid by night and Monday morning over some coastal and internal areas especially eastward and northward with a probability of fog or mist formation. Light to moderate northwesterly winds, freshening westward especially over the sea causing blowing dust, with a speed of 15 – 25, reaching 40 km/hr. The sea will be moderate to rough especially Westward in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.

On Monday, weather is expected to be fair to partly cloudy and hazy at times, with a probability of some convective clouds formation by afternoon eastward. Humid by night and Tuesday morning over some coastal and internal areas especially Eastward and northward with a probability of mist formation.

Light to moderate northwesterly to northeasterly winds, freshening at times, with a speed of 15 – 25, reaching 35 km/hr. The sea will be moderate to slight in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.