UAE weather: Heavy rain and hail in Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah

Showers and dusty conditions predicted to last over the weekend

Parts of the UAE were hit by heavy rain and hail on Friday afternoon as a barrage of stormy weather across the country continued.

The National Centre of Meteorology issued a yellow alert for much of of Al Ain as well as in Liwa and Hamim in Abu Dhabi, forecasting rainfall until at least 8pm.

A more severe orange alert is in place in the east of Al Ain, with members of the public told "hazardous weather events" were expected.

The weather centre said on social media that people should avoid flooded areas and be wary of strong winds.

• 

  Water spills over a road in Wadi Shawqa. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  People gather in large numbers to see the results of the rainy weather. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Parts of the UAE have been deluged by heavy rain. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Weather officials said people should avoid flooded areas. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Surface water in Wadi Shawqa. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Cloudy skies at Al Mubazzarah Park, Al Ain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Rain was set to move westward. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  A hazy hot day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Central Abu Dhabi on a hazy morning, from Souq Al Mina. Victor Besa / The National

The NCM recorded heavy rain and hail in Al Ain shortly after 3pm. More heavy rain was reported in Ras Al Khaimah shortly after.

The weather bureau had earlier predicted rain would fall over the eastern coast.

Rainy and convective clouds are expected to develop and move east and south by the afternoon, it said.

The conditions were set to move westwards with showers anticipated in Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain.

According to global forecaster Windy, light to heavy rain was expected around midday on Friday in Fujairah and Al Ain.

By 2pm, more rain was expected in other parts of the country including Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.

NCM has forecast the rainy weather will persist on Saturday, particularly over the eastern coast and southern and western regions.

Alongside rainfall, strong winds of 15 to 25 kph – reaching up to 50kph at times – are expected to create dusty conditions, leading to reduced visibility.

Sunday is expected to remain partly cloudy in general, coupled with a likelihood of afternoon rain in the eastern part of the country.

Beachgoers can expect moderately calm conditions in the Arabian Gulf, offering some respite from the otherwise turbulent weather.

Residents are urged to take necessary precautions and stay tuned to weather updates from official sources.

The Emirates has experienced unstable weather conditions over the past week.

Al Ain was lashed by heavy rain last Friday, with more wet weather and thunder in Dubai the following day.

Trees were felled and roads waterlogged as Dubai was battered by high winds and downpours on Saturday.

Dubai Municipality responded to more than 100 calls regarding damage caused by the wild weather.

Public parks and some beaches offering night swimming were closed on Sunday, but opened the following day as skies cleared.