Dubai hit by heavy rain, thunder and dust storms as weather alert is issued

Wild weather came after rainfall in Al Ain on Friday

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  Walkers are caught out by sudden strong winds and rain on the corniche in Sharjah. Victor Besa / The National

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  The downpour lasted for around 30 minutes in Sharjah. Victor Besa / The National

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  Dubai has recently seen heavy rain, thunder and dust storms. Ruel Pableo/ The National

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  Overcast sky in Dubai where more wet weather was forecast. Ruel Pableo / The National

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  A weather alert was issued for parts of Dubai. Ruel Pableo / The National

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  Dubai has been experiencing high temperatures and humidity coupled with spells of fog and rain. Ruel Pableo / The National

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  A woman and child dash for shelter from the rain in Sharjah. Victor Besa / The National

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  Hazy weather along the corniche in Sharjah. Victor Besa / The National

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  Hazy weather along the corniche in Sharjah. Victor Besa / The National

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  Hazy weather along the corniche in Sharjah. Victor Besa / The National

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  Hazy weather along the corniche in Sharjah. Victor Besa / The National

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  Hazy weather along the corniche in Sharjah. Victor Besa / The National

Dubai was hit by heavy rain, thunder and dust storms on Saturday afternoon with the wet weather set to continue until next week.

Residents reported hearing cracks of thunder while dust blanketed parts of the emirate as wind speeds picked up.

The National Centre of Meteorology recorded heavy rainfall across Dubai, including in Al Barsha, Al Barari, Emirates Road and Al Qudra Road.

The NCM issued a weather alert for parts of Dubai and Al Ain, telling the public that "hazardous weather events are expected".

Further rainfall and high winds were reported in Sharjah later on Saturday afternoon.

The glass window of one shop in Sharjah was shattered by the powerful wind, leaving glass strewn on the floor.

The strong gusts caused damage to a number of other properties in the emirate.

The unsettled conditions came after Al Ain was lashed by heavy rain on Friday. Video showed motorists navigating downpours in the UAE's Garden City.

Abu Dhabi Police temporarily lowered the speed limit on the Dubai to Al Ain Road from 140kph to 120kph and urged motorists to “exercise caution due to the rainy weather”.

The NCM, in its latest five-day bulletin, forecast rainfall on Saturday afternoon, Sunday and Monday in eastern parts of the Emirates.

Workers remove a fallen tree branch off the road after heavy rain and wind in Dubai. Reuters

The country has experienced unsettled weather in recent days, with high temperatures and humidity coupled with spells of fog and rain.

Despite the wet weather, Al Ain recorded the highest temperature in the country on Friday, reaching 49°C.

Temperatures are expected to hover around the mid-40ºC in Abu Dhabi over the next five days, but will be slightly lower in Dubai. For those seeking some respite from the intense sun, Fujairah is the place to be.

Temperatures there are expected to hit 36°C between Saturday to Tuesday, rising to 39°C on Wednesday.