UAE weather: Thunder and lightning with heavy rain predicted for this week

Stormy weather expected to hit Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Thursday

Stormy weather played havoc throughout the UAE when areas including Dubai were hit by extreme rain and winds on April 16. More wet weather is expected this week. Antonie Robertson/The National

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Heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning are forecast for parts of the UAE this week.

The National Centre of Meteorology said stormy weather would hit parts of the country from Wednesday night until Thursday evening.

“[There will be] moderate to heavy rain in scattered areas with lightning and thunder at times, with the possibility of some hail, starting in the west on Wednesday night and extending over most regions of the country on Thursday,” the NCM said, according to state news agency Wam.

The NCM also said winds would reach speeds of 65kph on Thursday.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority has held meetings to prepare for the expected weather.

The authority said, on X, that it was “studying and evaluating the weather conditions and their implications for areas that may be affected”.

Strict adherence to safety protocols was essential, said NCEMA, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall.

But NCM meteorologist Esraa Al-Naqbi told The National the current weather affecting the country is typical and does not compare with the storm that wreaked havoc in April.

She said that, in contrast, the weather is just a single wave beginning on Wednesday evening which is set to cover the entire country on Thursday. It has been classified as moderate while the previous storm was considered moderate to strong.

Abu Dhabi could see thunder and lightning, along with heavy rain from around 7am on Thursday, May 2, according to weather app Windy.

The highest temperature expected this week in the capital was on Tuesday when it is expected to reach 38°C.

Thunder and lightning were forecast for Dubai on Thursday from around 10am to 4pm, Windy forecasts.

There were reports of rain falling in some parts of the UAE on Sunday, with a yellow weather alert issued for areas including Dubai and Fujairah.

Heavy rain was reported in parts of Dubai on Sunday including Saih Al Salam, as well as light rain earlier in Al Ain and Al Shuwaib area in Abu Dhabi.

Social media videos from Sharjah News and Storm Centre showed heavy rainfall in parts of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah while parts of Ajman saw light showers.

Ras Al Khaimah experienced strong hail and rain with running waters visible in the valleys of the emirate.

News of the expected heavy rain comes as the UAE recovers from stormy weather on April 16, which brought much of the country to a standstill.

Additional reporting by Salam Al Amir