Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) classified the tropical condition known as “Tej”, which centered southwest of the Arabian Sea, 50 kilometres from Socotra Island, as a Category 2 cyclone.

Wind speed around Tej’s centre ranges from 170 to 180 kilometres/hour, with different cloud formations and cumulus rainy clouds.

The NCM expects it to move to the northwest, and to deepen into a third-degree tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours, as wind speeds will increase to range between 180-200 kilometres/hour, accompanied by cloud cover interspersed with cumulus rainy clouds.

The cyclone will have an indirect effect on the UAE, as moisture will flow from the Arabian Sea into the eastern and southern regions, creating the opportunity for some cumulonimbus clouds to form accompanied by rains, the NCM reported.

On Sunday, heavy rains with hail lashed different areas of the country, as they fell on Maliha and Akhdair Street in Sharjah, on Shawka and Wadi Buraq in Ras Al Khaimah, and on Al Watan Street and other areas.

The lowest temperature in the country, 16.7°C, was recorded on Sunday, in Jebel Jais, in RAK, at 12 midnight, while the highest temperature, 39.3°C, was recorded in Al Dhaid in Sharjah, at 14:15 UAE local time.