Unstable weather in UAE expected until after Christmas

National Centre of Meteorology says there is a chance of showers in a week when many residents will celebrate the festive season

Unstable weather is expected across the UAE until at least Thursday. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National

Unstable weather is expected across the country with rain falling in some parts, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

Forecasts suggest the unsettled conditions are expected to continue up until at least Thursday, due to the movement of a low pressure system. Rain fell across Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon in the Madinat Khalifa, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, Khalifa Street and Al Mushrif areas, the NCM reported. Rain had already hit the UAE over the weekend with Ras Al Khaimah bearing the brunt of the downpours.

The northern emirate saw significant amounts of showers from Al Dhaid to ­Digdagga.

The weather looks unsettled for the next few days and residents can expect some cloud cover with a chance of showers in places, the NCM forecast, in a week when many residents celebrate Christmas.

Storm Centre, a social media channel that tracks the country's weather, also posted videos showing rain falling across Ras Al Khaimah. One video showed intense rain falling on Jebel Jais.

The onset of winter in the UAE has also seen temperatures fall in recent weeks with the lowest temperature recorded in the UAE in Sunday being a chilly 4.8°C in Raknah, Al Ain. Raknah regularly records freezing temperatures during winter. In 2021, temperatures there sank to about minus 5°C.

The NCM in its five-day bulletin said Monday is expected to be fair to partly cloudy and cloudy at times over some northern and coastal areas with a probability of light rain.

It could be humid by the evening over some internal areas, while north-westerly to north-easterly winds could reach speeds of up to 40kph. The sea will be rough to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Sea of Oman.

For tomorrow, Christmas Eve, similar conditions are expected with a further chance of light rain in parts. “The sea will be slight to moderate [and] may become rough at times with clouds by Wednesday early morning in the Arabian Gulf”, the forecast suggested.

Looking ahead to Christmas Day, December 25, the NCM said residents could again be in for some cloudy weather over the islands and some coastal, northern and eastern areas with a “probability of rainfall”. The NCM's online weather map predicts peak temperatures in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will range from 24°C to 26°C from Monday to Wednesday.

Evening temperatures are expected to remain below 20°C. The conditions come after rains fells in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last Wednesday. Abu Dhabi was also hit by rain the previous week.

Rain in the UAE – in pictures

Safety alerts were issued as large parts of the UAE were hit by heavy rain, thunder and lightning overnight and into Monday morning. Antonie Robertson/The National

Thunder rumbled and lightning streaked across the skies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the early hours amid persistent heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National

Authorities sent an alert to mobile phones shortly after 6am to warn of "weather fluctuations" in parts of the UAE. Antonie Robertson/The National

Police reduced speed limits to 80kph temporarily on key routes. Antonie Robertson/The National

The rain comes down in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

The National Centre of Meteorology has weather warnings in place for much of the country until noon on Tuesday. Antonie Robertson / The National

It issued its most severe red alert – urging people to be extremely vigilant over hazardous weather – for some areas of Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson/The National

Heavy rain began falling early in the morning in The Greens, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Building obscured by rain and clouds in The Greens. Antonie Robertson/The National

Cars cautiously manoeuvre through flooded roads in Barsha Heights, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

A man stands in the rain, smiling under an umbrella, in Al Quoz, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

A man pedals through the rain on his bicycle, in Barsha Heights. Antonie Robertson/The National

People gather at the Dubai Internet City metro station, seeking refuge from the rain. Antonie Robertson/The National

Pedestrians walk with umbrellas unfurled, navigating the rain-soaked streets in Barsha Heights. Antonie Robertson/The National

Vehicles navigate flooded roads cautiously in Al Quoz, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Flooded roads near Ibn Battuta Mall created a watery obstacle course, challenging drivers and pedestrians alike. James O'Hara/ The National

Flooding is seen at the Garden cross roads intersection next to Ibn Battuta mall. James O'Hara / The National

Flooding in Al Yasmeen villa community, Ajman. Salam Al Amir/ The National