UAE weather: Heavy rain hits the Emirates

Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah experience substantial showers

Rain hit Shaam and the Jazirah Al Hamra areas of Ras Al Khaimah on Sunday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Rain and thunder have hit parts of the UAE, with the Northern Emirates most affected, the National Centre of Meteorology said. Rain was also reported in the Shaam and Jazirah Al Hamra areas of Ras Al Khaimah and parts of Fujairah on Sunday.

Parts of Dubai also experienced a heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon, with spectators at the annual UAE Swat Challenge rushing to find shelter from the deluge.

Videos posted to Storm Centre, a social media channel that tracks the UAE's weather, also showed thunder and dark clouds approaching the Ras Al Khaimah coast. Others showed 4x4s navigating roads during the downpour.

The NCM had warned of a chance of rain, cautioning residents to expect "rainfall of different intensities" in some "northern, eastern and coastal areas".

It also cautioned of winds of up to 45kph kicking up dust, with rough seas expected in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman.

Temperatures remain cool, dropping to a chilly 4.7°C on Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, at 5.30am on Sunday.

The NCM said it will be fair to partly cloudy on Monday and humid by night, with a "probability of mist formation over some internal areas" on Tuesday morning, and "a probability of fog or mist formation over some coastal and internal areas".

Heavy rain was last reported in the UAE just several weeks ago.

There were downpours across Dubai on January 13, hitting communities around Al Qudra Road and Jebel Ali, Hessa Street and Downtown Dubai.

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