• Rain fell in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, including in Khalifa City. All pictures: Victor Besa / The National
    Rain fell in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, including in Khalifa City. All pictures: Victor Besa / The National
  • The National Centre of Meteorology is forecasting more showers across the UAE this week
    The National Centre of Meteorology is forecasting more showers across the UAE this week
  • Rain alerts were issued in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain
    Rain alerts were issued in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain
  • Blowing dust was also forecast, with light to moderate north-easterly winds
    Blowing dust was also forecast, with light to moderate north-easterly winds
  • Rain was forecast on Wednesday in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai between 8am and noon
    Rain was forecast on Wednesday in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai between 8am and noon
  • Similar conditions are expected on Thursday
    Similar conditions are expected on Thursday
  • Cloudy conditions are expected on Friday, as well as possible fog or mist
    Cloudy conditions are expected on Friday, as well as possible fog or mist

UAE weather: Rain falls across country, with more showers forecast this week


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Residents in Abu Dhabi woke up to rain on Wednesday, with the National Centre of Meteorology forecasting more showers across the UAE later this week.

At the start of the week, rain alerts were issued in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, with the NCM predicting light to moderate rain over coastal and western areas. Blowing dust was also forecast, with light to moderate north-easterly winds.

A video shared by Storm Centre on social media showed rainy conditions as commuters drove into the capital on Wednesday.

What is the forecast in the UAE for the rest of the week?

Light to moderate rainfall is forecast on Wednesday, with cloudy conditions expected and moderate north-westerly winds set to blow dust. Rain is forecast in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai between 8am and 12pm, the Windy weather app shows.

Similar conditions are expected on Thursday, with light rainfall and a drop in temperatures.

Rainfall is expected to ease going into the weekend, with cloudy conditions expected on Friday, as well as possible fog or mist. Similar weather is expected on Saturday, with the NCM stating there is a high probability of fog or mist and a high chance of humidity going into Sunday morning.

Temperatures are set to remain stable in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the next five days, with highs of 30°C in the emirates on Tuesday and lows of 24°C. The temperatures will remain consistent until Sunday, when highs of 29°C are forecast, alongside lows of 22°C.

More rain to come?

Heavy rain hit the UAE last month, with the Northern Emirates most affected. Temperatures usually rise steadily from spring and can be expected to exceed 40°C regularly throughout the UAE's summer months, from June to the end of September.

Stormy weather pummelled the UAE in April 2024, with the NCM reporting that the daily rainfall total, which reached 142mm in Dubai and 254.8mm in parts of Al Ain, was the highest since records began in 1949.

Dr Mohammad Al Ebri, director of meteorology at the NCM, said the heavy rain was the result of climate change and predicted more wet weather in future.

Heavy rain hits Dubai and Abu Dhabi in April 2024 - in pictures

  • Workers cut down a tree that was uprooted by the storm in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Workers cut down a tree that was uprooted by the storm in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A vehicle submerged on a waterlogged road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A vehicle submerged on a waterlogged road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A fence is blown over during the storm in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A fence is blown over during the storm in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Vehicles splash through the Dubai – Abu Dhabi motorway during the heavy rain in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    Vehicles splash through the Dubai – Abu Dhabi motorway during the heavy rain in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A vehicle drives through a flooded road on a wet day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A vehicle drives through a flooded road on a wet day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Two men navigate Dubai's flooded roads on a raft made from gas cylinders. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Two men navigate Dubai's flooded roads on a raft made from gas cylinders. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Trying to keep flooding out of a business in Al Quoz, Dubai. According to some measurements, 158mm of rain fell in 24 hours. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Trying to keep flooding out of a business in Al Quoz, Dubai. According to some measurements, 158mm of rain fell in 24 hours. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • One pedestrian is still smiling despite the flooding, in Al Quoz, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    One pedestrian is still smiling despite the flooding, in Al Quoz, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Waves form in Dubai floodwaters. Nic Ridley/ The National
    Waves form in Dubai floodwaters. Nic Ridley/ The National
  • Dark clouds over Aldar headquarters in Al Raha, Abu Dhabi. Evelyn Lau / The National
    Dark clouds over Aldar headquarters in Al Raha, Abu Dhabi. Evelyn Lau / The National
  • Wrapped up for the elements in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Wrapped up for the elements in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • More storms are forecast for Dubai, with dark skies overhead. Nic Ridley/ The National
    More storms are forecast for Dubai, with dark skies overhead. Nic Ridley/ The National
  • A young boy goes for a walk on a rainy day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A young boy goes for a walk on a rainy day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Heavy rain fell for several hours in Dubai on Tuesday morning, in what forecasters said was the first wave of stormy weather. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Heavy rain fell for several hours in Dubai on Tuesday morning, in what forecasters said was the first wave of stormy weather. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Lightning strikes in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Roy Cooper/ The National
    Lightning strikes in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Roy Cooper/ The National
  • There were large puddles in Dubai after heavy rain overnight. Antonie Robertson/The National
    There were large puddles in Dubai after heavy rain overnight. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • A cyclist travels amid clean-up efforts in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
    A cyclist travels amid clean-up efforts in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • A motorist's car is stranded on a flooded Dubai road, following torrential rain. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A motorist's car is stranded on a flooded Dubai road, following torrential rain. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Clean-up efforts are under way in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Clean-up efforts are under way in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Dark clouds linger over Dubai with more adverse weather forecast. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Dark clouds linger over Dubai with more adverse weather forecast. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Dark skies over Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Zoya Thomas/ The National
    Dark skies over Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Zoya Thomas/ The National
  • Forecasters warned of 'hazardous weather events' until Wednesday evening. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Forecasters warned of 'hazardous weather events' until Wednesday evening. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Workers clear standing water in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Workers clear standing water in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Drivers faced a difficult commute after heavy rain in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Drivers faced a difficult commute after heavy rain in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Clean-up efforts began in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Clean-up efforts began in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National

“There will be between 20 to 30 per cent more rainfall in the future due to climate change,” Dr Al Ebri said in November. "The highest average of rainfall was in April 2003 when 48.9mm fell, but the average of April 2024 was 102mm. It was exceptional."

He also predicted the temperature will increase by 1.7°C by the end of the century. “It’s expected the average temperatures will increase in the future causing more light storms, which means an increase of heavy rainfall, floods, hail and lightning,” he added. “The intense weather conditions in April 2024 can happen again. We should be ready and prepared for these scenarios.”

Mohamed Al Dhanhani of Dubai Municipality said it had already implemented road projects to tackle heavy rain in the future. “About 90 per cent of these points were solved," he said. "We have short and long-term projects to increase the water drainage in the key points and install pumps for emergencies to ensure smooth movement on roads."

Read more: New data shows 19% rise in rainfall in UAE over 20 years

Rain in Dubai. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
Rain in Dubai. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results

1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000

2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000

3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000

HOW%20TO%20ACTIVATE%20THE%20GEMINI%20SHORTCUT%20ON%20CHROME%20CANARY
%3Cp%3E1.%20Go%20to%20%3Cstrong%3Echrome%3A%2F%2Fflags%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20Find%20and%20enable%20%3Cstrong%3EExpansion%20pack%20for%20the%20Site%20Search%20starter%20pack%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E3.%20Restart%20Chrome%20Canary%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.%20Go%20to%20%3Cstrong%3Echrome%3A%2F%2Fsettings%2FsearchEngines%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20in%20the%20address%20bar%20and%20find%20the%20%3Cstrong%3EChat%20with%20Gemini%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20shortcut%20under%20%3Cstrong%3ESite%20Search%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.%20Open%20a%20new%20tab%20and%20type%20%40%20to%20see%20the%20Chat%20with%20Gemini%20shortcut%20along%20with%20other%20Omnibox%20shortcuts%20to%20search%20tabs%2C%20history%20and%20bookmarks%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20US%20Congress%20explained
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Imperial%20Island%3A%20A%20History%20of%20Empire%20in%20Modern%20Britain
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Charlotte%20Lydia%20Riley%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Bodley%20Head%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20384%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

The specs: 2018 Audi RS5

Price, base: Dh359,200

Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm

Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km

RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D5pm%3A%20Deerfields%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Taajer%2C%20Richard%20Mullen%20(jockey)%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Ketbi%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20The%20Galleria%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Zafaranah%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Musabah%20Al%20Muhairi%0D%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Ifahat%20Du%20Loup%2C%20Abdul%20Aziz%20Al%20Balushi%2C%20Sulaiman%20Al%20Ghunaimi%0D%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Mazyad%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Majalis%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Dalma%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Bassam%20Al%20Wathba%2C%20Bernardi%20Pinheiro%2C%20Majed%20Al%20Jahouri%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20World%20Trade%20Centre%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Fawaareq%2C%20Dane%20O%E2%80%99Neill%2C%20Doug%20Watson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport

Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester

Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder

Transmission: Continuously variable transmission

Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Ultra processed foods

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns 

- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;

- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,

- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.

The%20specs
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Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

RESULTS

Argentina 4 Haiti 0

Peru 2 Scotland 0

Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Updated: March 12, 2025, 10:25 AM