The sandstorm has reduced visibility on the E12 highway in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
The sandstorm has reduced visibility on the E12 highway in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
The sandstorm has reduced visibility on the E12 highway in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
The sandstorm has reduced visibility on the E12 highway in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

UAE weather: high winds cause sandstorm to descend on Abu Dhabi


Gillian Duncan
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  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi police have urged motorists to drive with caution during the sandstorm that has descended on the capital.

Authorities issued the warning on social media, urging motorists not to take videos on their phones to record the storm that has been caused by high winds in the emirate.

"Abu Dhabi Police urges drivers to be cautious due to low visibility during high winds and dust," the force said in a tweet.

"And for your safety and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone."

Moderate winds were expected to blow dust during the day in the emirate, a forecast issued by the National Centre of Meteorology showed.

This is due to a weather system sweeping in from the Red Sea and southern Iran, which will be accompanied by humid winds, the NCM said.

In an updated warning issued on Tuesday afternoon, the NCM said winds with speeds of 40 kilometres per hour were blowing dust and reducing visibility to less than 1,000 metres in Liwa, Al Dhafra region.

Earlier, the NCM said temperatures will reach 41°C in Abu Dhabi city and 38°C in Dubai on Tuesday.

It could rain in the west, east and interior.

Parts of Sharjah were hit by heavy rain and hail on Sunday and more showers fell on Monday in Sharjah and Fujairah.

There is a chance of more rain throughout the week, the NCM said.

This is due to a weather system sweeping in from the Red Sea and southern Iran, which will be accompanied by humid winds, NCM said.

From Wednesday evening to Friday it will be partly cloudy with a chance of rain, especially in the west and south, extending over some areas on the coast and islands.

Temperatures will remain around 40°C to 41°C until Friday, when they will fall to 39°C in Abu Dhabi city and 35°C in Dubai.

Rain in the UAE - in pictures

  • A rainbow at Expo 2020 Dubai on a cloudy, rainy day for much of the country from Abu Dhabi city to the Northern Emirates on Sunday, January 16. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A rainbow at Expo 2020 Dubai on a cloudy, rainy day for much of the country from Abu Dhabi city to the Northern Emirates on Sunday, January 16. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A worker shelters beneath an umbrella in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A worker shelters beneath an umbrella in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Downtown Dubai awoke to rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Downtown Dubai awoke to rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Showers in Jumeirah, Dubai, made a day at the beach unappetising. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Showers in Jumeirah, Dubai, made a day at the beach unappetising. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Cyclists brave the weather in Deira. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Cyclists brave the weather in Deira. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • A car park in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A car park in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Showers in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
    Showers in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Police urged drivers to take care on the roads as rain fell across the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
    Police urged drivers to take care on the roads as rain fell across the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
  • Temperatures were expected to reach a maximum of 26°C in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Temperatures were expected to reach a maximum of 26°C in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Rain on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Rain on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Showers fell on various parts of Abu Dhabi before sunrise. Victor Besa / The National
    Showers fell on various parts of Abu Dhabi before sunrise. Victor Besa / The National
  • People make their way to work during the rain on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
    People make their way to work during the rain on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Forecasters said it would rain throughout the day. Victor Besa / The National
    Forecasters said it would rain throughout the day. Victor Besa / The National
  • It has been an exceptionally wet start to 2022 for the UAE, with more than 18 months' worth of rain falling in only a few days earlier in the month. Victor Besa / The National
    It has been an exceptionally wet start to 2022 for the UAE, with more than 18 months' worth of rain falling in only a few days earlier in the month. Victor Besa / The National
  • Almost the entire Abu Dhabi emirate was blanketed in dense fog at the weekend. Victor Besa / The National
    Almost the entire Abu Dhabi emirate was blanketed in dense fog at the weekend. Victor Besa / The National
  • People make their way on a street in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    People make their way on a street in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A man crosses a road in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
    A man crosses a road in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
  • Many people were wearing warm clothes, as chilly temperatures accompanied the rains. Victor Besa / The National
    Many people were wearing warm clothes, as chilly temperatures accompanied the rains. Victor Besa / The National
  • A man rides an electric bike in the rain. Victor Besa / The National
    A man rides an electric bike in the rain. Victor Besa / The National
  • Women make their way amid the rains. Victor Besa / The National
    Women make their way amid the rains. Victor Besa / The National
  • An almost deserted beach in Abu Dhabi during the wet weather. Victor Besa / The National
    An almost deserted beach in Abu Dhabi during the wet weather. Victor Besa / The National
Predictions

Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:

  • Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
  • Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
  • Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
  • Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
  • Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai

Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore

Asia Cup 2018 final

Who: India v Bangladesh

When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium

Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD

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Updated: April 26, 2022, 12:36 PM