Rain, thunder and lightning in Dubai as stormy weather arrives early

UAE weather centre forecasts rainfall into the early hours of Friday with more unstable conditions expected in days ahead

The UAE has experienced unsettled weather in recent weeks, with more storms expected in the days ahead. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai was hit by rain, thunder and lightning on Thursday with more wet weather expected until the early hours of Friday.

Cracks of thunder and lightning were reported at about 8pm in some areas of the emirate, including in the Mira district.

Further rainfall was recorded in parts of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain during the evening.

The National Centre of Meteorology said the adverse weather would persist until 4am on Friday.

The weather centre had earlier issued a notice over more adverse conditions expected from Sunday to Wednesday.

The NCM said the country would be affected by unstable weather due to “low surface pressure” from the south-west.

It forecast heavy rain in internal and southern areas of the Emirates on Sunday, to be followed by thunder and lightning on Monday and Tuesday.

Further rainfall is forecast on Wednesday, accompanied by a drop in temperatures.

The UAE has experienced an unsettled start to the year, with bouts of heavy rain and thick fog during the mornings.

About six months' worth of rain fell across the UAE in one weekend in early March after a major storm swept through most parts of the country.

The downpours led to events being cancelled, flights diverted, wadis and beaches shut and several roads partially flooded.

Stormy weather in the UAE – in pictures

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  Floodwater in Mussaffah Industrial City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A lorry navigates a flooded section of Al Qudra Road after heavy rain in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Vehicles brave flooded Al Qudra Road in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Gridlock ensues on flooded Al Qudra Road in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Caution was urged by police following the heavy rain in Dubai that caused flooding on several roads. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Floodwaters rise near a mosque in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Floodwater creeps between homes in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Stagnant floodwater in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Dubai Municipality has responded to floods caused by the heavy rain. Photo: Dubai Municipality

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  Dubai Municipality workers join the clean-up effort following bouts of heavy rain. Photo: Dubai Municipality