VIDEO: Hailstorm and rain lash UAE, temperature drops significantly across the country

Emaduddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

Heavy rain lashed several areas of the UAE on Wednesday afternoon, bringing down the temperature by a few notches.

Heavy rain started around 2.30pm in Sharjah, Dubai, and Ajman.

The UAE Ministry of Interior urged motorists to exercise caution in the streets and abide by the traffic laws.

Moderate to heavy rain fell on multiple areas including Qidfa, Wadi Mai and Dhadna in Fujairah, Fujairah International Airport, Khorfakkan, Dibba Al Hisn and Kalba Corniche in Sharjah and other separate areas across the country.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology, unstable weather conditions are expected to prevail till Friday, during which heavy rain will fall, accompanied by lightning and thunder at times, while temperature is likely to drop.

The lowest temperature of 2.8 degrees Celsius was registered on Wednesday in Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah at 5:15am, while 5.9 degrees Celsius was registered in Jebel Mebrah in Ras Al Khaimah and 7.8 degrees Celsius in Rakna in Al Ain.

Abu Dhabi Police also called on drivers to be cautious due to the rainy weather conditions and to abide by the changing speed limits as shown on the electronic traffic and guiding signs.

Thursday’s weather will be partly cloudy to cloudy with some cumulus clouds appearing, accompanied by heavy rains, lightning and thunder on separate areas and a noticeable drop in temperature, it said.

Moderate to active southeasterly to northeasterly winds will blow, turning to strong and sand-stirring at times, while the sea will be rough in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, it added.

Friday’s weather is expected to be partly cloudy in general and cloudy at times with rainfall on some areas, particularly the coastal, northern and eastern ones, the NCM said.

Southeasterly to northeasterly winds will blow, turning to light to moderate northwesterly winds. The winds will be active at times at 15 to 25 and up to 40 km/h, while the sea will have moderate waves but may become rough in the Arabian Gulf compared to regular to moderate waves in the Sea of Oman.