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
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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 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 -
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 -
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 -
Waves form in Dubai floodwaters. Nic Ridley/ 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 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 -
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 -
Forecasters warned of 'hazardous weather events' until Wednesday evening. 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 -
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
