Dubai hit by heavy rain as UAE weather alert is issued

Drivers urged to be vigilant as bouts of wet weather are expected to continue until Wednesday

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  Buildings in Downtown Dubai loom from the gloom amid stormy skies and rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Low cloud and rain in Downtown Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The rain comes down in Al Qudra, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Cars drive through puddles in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  The heavy rain left standing water on some roads. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Dark skies over Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Rainy weather in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  A man takes shelter under an umbrella during rain in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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

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  More rainfall and cloudy weather is forecast for much of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A road sign warning of the hazardous driving conditions. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Umbrella weather in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Drenched delivery drivers in Umm Suqeim, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Wet windscreens in Al Quoz. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Wood sellers cover their stock to protect it from the rain in Al Qudra. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Residents take impromptu shelter from the rain in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Studio City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Al Qudra, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Rain on the 611 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The rain coming down in Studio City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Al Qudra, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  People wait out a downpour in Al Quoz. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The rain slows traffic in Al Quoz. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Pedestrians getting wet in Al Quoz. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The wet streets of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Gloomy wet weather. Antonie Robertson / The National

The UAE is braced for at least two more days of wet weather after rain swept across the country on Monday.

Motorists were urged to drive only if “absolutely necessary” as heavy rain lashed Dubai and Sharjah under overcast skies throughout the afternoon.

There were further downpours recorded in Abu Dhabi and across the rest of the Northern Emirates as a soggy end to 2022 continued.

The National Centre of Meteorology issued a yellow alert for large parts of the Emirates, calling for people to “be aware” of the wet weather.

The weather centre shared a safety notice on social media calling for people planning to travel by road to be vigilant.

It advised people to avoid getting behind the wheel if possible, but if necessary they should “drive with caution and remain vigilant and alert to ensure the safety of all road users”.

Drivers were asked to “turn on low-beam headlights when visibility is reduced” and to follow weather forecasts and comply with directives from authorities.

The NCM later on Monday advised those in the north of the country to be on their guard during the hazardous weather conditions.

"Precautions should be taken in case of heavy rain over some northern areas," the NCM said on its Twitter account.

The centre said people were "advised to stay away from areas of flash floods and accumulated rain."

The NCM shared footage of pools of water forming on roads and wadis.

Abu Dhabi Police had called on drivers to be careful in the rain, in a post on social media on Monday morning.

The force asked motorists to abide by varying speed limits displayed on electronic road signs.

More rainfall and cloudy weather is forecast for much of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Temperatures are set to remain at about 25° in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on both days, dropping below 20° in the evenings.

The NCM said rainfall will give way to dry conditions on Thursday and Friday, but there is the prospect of fog forming in the mornings.