UAE's cloudy start to 2023 - in pictures

Emirati skies from Jebel Jais to Abu Dhabi

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  The view from the UAE flag area in Abu Dhabi on New Year's Day. Victor Besa / The National

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  Tackling the zip line at Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, on a misty New Year's Day. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Sisters Zaina and Mona play under blue skies on New Year's Day in Al Qudra, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Celebrating New Year's Day on top of Jebel Jais. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Praying on Jebel Jais on New Year's Day. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Camping on New Year's Day in Al Qudra. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Dubai Mall under a cloudy sky. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Looming skyscrapers and high cloud seen from new viewing desk at Dubai Creek Harbour. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Dubai's distinctive skyline seen from the viewing deck. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The jutting viewing deck and Dubai's skyline silhouetted at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A balloon relay along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi to welcome 2023. Victor Besa / The National

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  Seagulls wheel past the Abu Dhabi skyline, viewed from the UAE flag area on the Corniche on New Year's Day. Victor Besa / The National

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  Kamlesh Unadkat's family pose for a picture at the UAE flag area. Victor Besa / The National

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  Overcast skies at Amity International School Watersports Academy in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Overcast skies at Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Sunset at Al Hudayriat Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Gulls at sunset at Al Hudayriat Island. Victor Besa / The National

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  A spectacular sunset at Al Hudayriat Island. Victor Besa / The National

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  Dusk at Al Hudayriat Island. Victor Besa / The National

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  Blue skies over downtown Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Banks of cloud over Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A cloudy day in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Feeding birds at the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  A breezy day along the Corniche shoreline. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  Windy weather in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  The Marina Eye against a cloudy background in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  Taking a stroll along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  A view from the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  A stroll in the sunshine along the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  A cyclist repairs his bicycle on the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

It has been a cloudy start to the new year for many in the UAE, following a rainy end to 2022.

While the country is known for the sunny skies and high temperatures that make it popular destination for tourists seeking sun, sea and sand, cloud and rain are not unheard of — particularly in the winter months of December and January.

But despite the recent cloudy days, it has been a drier start to the year than last January, when almost a year and a half's worth of rain fell on the country over just three days.

More from The National:

UAE weather: Cold wave and rain expected this weekend

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