UAE weather: rain in Abu Dhabi as police urge caution on the roads

Strong winds kick up dust clouds and reduce visibility

Seagulls fly on a cloudy day in Ajman. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ajman was one of several emirates in which rain was expected

People head to the park in Dubai under cloudy skies.

Unsettled weather is expected across the UAE.

Overcast conditions in Dubai.

Seagulls fly on a cloudy day in Ajman

Rain fell across the UAE on Saturday as the authorities warned motorists of difficult conditions on the country's roads.

The National Centre of Meteorology said south-easterly winds reaching speeds of 45 kilometres an hour could kick up dust clouds and reduce visibility throughout the day.

Abu Dhabi Police and the authorities urged drivers to stay alert and avoid using mobile phones when driving.

The warning was made as the NCM reported rainfall in Ghantoot and Ghayathi in Abu Dhabi; Al Dhait in Ras Al Khaimah; Dibba in Fujairah; Al Dhaid in Sharjah; and forecast more rain in parts of the UAE into the evening.

The downpours had been forecast, while the NCM also predicted rain on Sunday and into next week.

"[It will be] dusty and partly cloudy to cloudy over scattered areas, accompanied with rainy convective clouds especially over some northern, eastern, some coastal and western areas," the NCM forecast for Sunday.

Rain in the UAE - in pictures

The rain comes down at the beach in Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

The rain comes down in Jumeirah, Dubai

Puddles and umbrellas in Discovery Gardens in Dubai, after a 45-minute deluge on Friday morning

Pedestrians run for cover as rain falls on New Year's Eve in Dubai. City residents were woken by thunder and lightning in the early hours

A delivery motorcyclist negotiates the rain-slicked roads of Dubai. Police warned road users to be extra vigilant in the wet conditions

A pedestrian seeks shelter under an umbrella in Dubai. Another front of rain is forecast to arrive around 11pm on New Year's Eve, with Abu Dhabi set to experience several hours of rain

Further rain is forecast across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates on Monday and Tuesday – with up to 40 millimetres in isolated areas

There was isolated flooding in low-lying areas in Dubai, including Discovery Gardens

Dubai bus passengers are glad to get out of the rain

Rain clouds loom on the horizon over Discovery Gardens

A pedestrian is caught out in the rain at Discovery Gardens