![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WEN6JDOP3XSBTCSX72CH7NHKKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=439c05d578be75040695d66d5e2f461a2f821ea62142419f7696a07e622e0b7c&width=400&height=225)
Trees were uprooted on 29th Street in Abu Dhabi during the same storm. Ravindranath K / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3ETOM4WPSZC6S7QQBUGJ72WASE.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f263d29d95ae5dad99e0dfc8f5632cfffdbe90f258fd74eb3f8ff11bd29554c&width=400&height=225)
People run for cover during the March 9, 2016 storm in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, when strong winds and driving rain caused chaos across the UAE. Christopher Pike / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IC7ECDC4EM4WO7SKJSBTJOGNJU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e16779ce99b22223a2313802a2fa61a1ee3ecc60835d9d43f07346e4b30a391&width=400&height=225)
City streets were inundated with water, such as here on 8th Street in Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C2XLXCTVO3UGX4CDMURYQAIMOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=97ff96d85d208537c1f8322217aa88cf4c64cf3a3536f4af8fd06f9ca4f66a72&width=400&height=225)
While the rain and winds caused major damage they brought smiles of glee for some of the younger residents of Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RTQEMENLNUNPUUQHWNF5WKJYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6654071bd0c281f68838e3cd6b048568b87b249234a019752b7bc3d6813d7d2&width=400&height=225)
The sky darkened from early on March 9, 2016. The view from Abu Dhabi's main bus station is of murky skies. Jonathan Raymond / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5DKWKGPDANZJ6M6VNRKBQWYZ2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=b6064fc932a5ef758ab8cebdbbeaadee19b3cf65cf1dd1e3361ea6efa4bdb786&width=400&height=225)
However, storms have always been a feature of the weather here, such as this squall on Abu Dhabi's Corniche taken at some point between 1962 and 1964. Photo: David Riley
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGIE4KREHXAFK6JL65XFRNGYYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfb97f6a0d13459292e8b0644c85060c8dd9d1f50bb5807e05cb42c02235942d&width=400&height=225)
Flooding is seen in Fujairah following heavy rainfall. Photo: Storm Centre UAE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6FCQ5F2ADDKT3YX6S427WGIVEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=33c8394cbed6ba3925ab69b9282a9648ab8f9fd0f5de8a34693d6faff6f12148&width=400&height=225)
Floodwater often inundated Abu Dhabi island during the 1960s as defences had yet to be built. Photo: David Riley
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7H53WTHHIW7JBI47N7AHJ4ERWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b641e54261fcbc061ed6c35cb4d9df5fea2b4659f38c01cd13c59de1232685ea&width=400&height=225)
A huge storm that swept through the region in 1963 left the Sharjah Airbase flooded, as this photograph shows. Photo: Vic Cozens
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5VEVRNZLXFXS7GKTNUGW4GYO4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=09b0ce271913af91de3f6283cb03da9ac22c4e9c14ce3d13e9ac6fd51c4e1885&width=400&height=225)
Snow can also be common in the winter. Snowmen are often built, such as this one in Jebel Jais in January, 2020. Photo: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EYSF3LYJCSFBPNI5KZMX3DIRBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=203d44ad8201d738b3c6b36868439b3f04782ce5dfe75e9eb80b5017e5504004&width=400&height=225)
Snow also fell on Jebel Jais mountain in Ras al Khaimah in January and December 2017. Photo: Mike Charlton
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7FOR44LVIAPWVYF6CR755C5BEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa263b45e7f7447b5a55406efcc8764f2ff84fd15069332d1153e483ca82d786&width=400&height=225)
Most of Jebel Jais was blanketed in a pristine layer of snow. Photo: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RIY3PMGKT5MISSJBY43ODPAETI.jpg?smart=true&auth=01a6f1ebba8b4e01d6950d7f1c30c4c2fe8e2e90100d789a54f75c160eec44b3&width=400&height=225)
Dense fog is also common in the mountains, as this 2015 shot from Jebel Jais shows. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YXGNPUHOFJMPG2KITC6MOM2UBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5590ab87f23250d044f53d96ca79a6a9b9a697e15f9797d8741894d839b613a7&width=400&height=225)
Fog and mist cover the Burj Al Arab. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O2TT7GC7JYM56WB3J33AASWKII.jpg?smart=true&auth=11884283ef1d76ace8cb1a2ea8d859c5240f0d0883731a29417b2edbf0839591&width=400&height=225)
Early morning fog in Discovery Gardens, Dubai in April, 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ORYMTB2L74SIGUMF3JKUQ3NO2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=8f77e08623d7c99bc3ed70bfe95f127636849ffaac34fdddc3f8c09cfb777286&width=400&height=225)
Dense fog is common during winter, reducing visibility on the roads. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIJBWB7FMUHA4WVR3J4BNCGPHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcf5d2383b3ba262e7587e2dc53d6c5887656d169633c1facaf95d0873c1c449&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Media City enveloped in fog. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RQXPBBK5VX3SBCWXUN2FK2DFZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ae26ce8311b0eb31960f5f034d9370e0cc95440e18f6e92b66d3310666e33e4f&width=400&height=225)
Dust storms are also common, causing havoc on the roads such as this one from March, 2017 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I6LUGBD6UC7ETBNVMKCTKAVV6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=640ca7e2d0e105d689df54ce07b5e0334d51d49ef09ec59e84298cfca09cf472&width=400&height=225)
A lightening strike in Umm Al Quwain. Photo: Storm Centre UAE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MEDBPVXQV2JYDK37WDB6IMI6CY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b77e4e5902004deef0cc5fe5d8e7b8618adbefaa158a9b0f16d5d81c37f919d&width=400&height=225)
Another dust storm from 2018. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BLE2XL2HC6DQNBQLWP6CDXVR4U.jpg?smart=true&auth=a4e86d197a37210071ea4cc61c9f13516e23c4e9fd1188c85a3b372c08016f60&width=400&height=225)
A dust storm passes by the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, April, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/55FWWRMRJJVQE2PYATQTXNKRQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a703148c428ce56162cb3a3ff1e488349c017d1f1d34a2bba30c334e9f7a21a&width=400&height=225)
Rain storms can cause the most chaos, however, as the March 2016 one did. A construction barrier fell onto parked cars in Abu Dhabi. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WEN6JDOP3XSBTCSX72CH7NHKKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=439c05d578be75040695d66d5e2f461a2f821ea62142419f7696a07e622e0b7c&width=400&height=225)
Trees were uprooted on 29th Street in Abu Dhabi during the same storm. Ravindranath K / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3ETOM4WPSZC6S7QQBUGJ72WASE.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f263d29d95ae5dad99e0dfc8f5632cfffdbe90f258fd74eb3f8ff11bd29554c&width=400&height=225)
People run for cover during the March 9, 2016 storm in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, when strong winds and driving rain caused chaos across the UAE. Christopher Pike / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IC7ECDC4EM4WO7SKJSBTJOGNJU.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e16779ce99b22223a2313802a2fa61a1ee3ecc60835d9d43f07346e4b30a391&width=400&height=225)
City streets were inundated with water, such as here on 8th Street in Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C2XLXCTVO3UGX4CDMURYQAIMOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=97ff96d85d208537c1f8322217aa88cf4c64cf3a3536f4af8fd06f9ca4f66a72&width=400&height=225)
While the rain and winds caused major damage they brought smiles of glee for some of the younger residents of Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RTQEMENLNUNPUUQHWNF5WKJYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6654071bd0c281f68838e3cd6b048568b87b249234a019752b7bc3d6813d7d2&width=400&height=225)
The sky darkened from early on March 9, 2016. The view from Abu Dhabi's main bus station is of murky skies. Jonathan Raymond / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5DKWKGPDANZJ6M6VNRKBQWYZ2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=b6064fc932a5ef758ab8cebdbbeaadee19b3cf65cf1dd1e3361ea6efa4bdb786&width=400&height=225)
However, storms have always been a feature of the weather here, such as this squall on Abu Dhabi's Corniche taken at some point between 1962 and 1964. Photo: David Riley
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGIE4KREHXAFK6JL65XFRNGYYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfb97f6a0d13459292e8b0644c85060c8dd9d1f50bb5807e05cb42c02235942d&width=400&height=225)
Flooding is seen in Fujairah following heavy rainfall. Photo: Storm Centre UAE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6FCQ5F2ADDKT3YX6S427WGIVEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=33c8394cbed6ba3925ab69b9282a9648ab8f9fd0f5de8a34693d6faff6f12148&width=400&height=225)
Floodwater often inundated Abu Dhabi island during the 1960s as defences had yet to be built. Photo: David Riley
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7H53WTHHIW7JBI47N7AHJ4ERWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b641e54261fcbc061ed6c35cb4d9df5fea2b4659f38c01cd13c59de1232685ea&width=400&height=225)
A huge storm that swept through the region in 1963 left the Sharjah Airbase flooded, as this photograph shows. Photo: Vic Cozens
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5VEVRNZLXFXS7GKTNUGW4GYO4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=09b0ce271913af91de3f6283cb03da9ac22c4e9c14ce3d13e9ac6fd51c4e1885&width=400&height=225)
Snow can also be common in the winter. Snowmen are often built, such as this one in Jebel Jais in January, 2020. Photo: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EYSF3LYJCSFBPNI5KZMX3DIRBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=203d44ad8201d738b3c6b36868439b3f04782ce5dfe75e9eb80b5017e5504004&width=400&height=225)
Snow also fell on Jebel Jais mountain in Ras al Khaimah in January and December 2017. Photo: Mike Charlton
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7FOR44LVIAPWVYF6CR755C5BEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa263b45e7f7447b5a55406efcc8764f2ff84fd15069332d1153e483ca82d786&width=400&height=225)
Most of Jebel Jais was blanketed in a pristine layer of snow. Photo: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RIY3PMGKT5MISSJBY43ODPAETI.jpg?smart=true&auth=01a6f1ebba8b4e01d6950d7f1c30c4c2fe8e2e90100d789a54f75c160eec44b3&width=400&height=225)
Dense fog is also common in the mountains, as this 2015 shot from Jebel Jais shows. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YXGNPUHOFJMPG2KITC6MOM2UBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5590ab87f23250d044f53d96ca79a6a9b9a697e15f9797d8741894d839b613a7&width=400&height=225)
Fog and mist cover the Burj Al Arab. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O2TT7GC7JYM56WB3J33AASWKII.jpg?smart=true&auth=11884283ef1d76ace8cb1a2ea8d859c5240f0d0883731a29417b2edbf0839591&width=400&height=225)
Early morning fog in Discovery Gardens, Dubai in April, 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ORYMTB2L74SIGUMF3JKUQ3NO2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=8f77e08623d7c99bc3ed70bfe95f127636849ffaac34fdddc3f8c09cfb777286&width=400&height=225)
Dense fog is common during winter, reducing visibility on the roads. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIJBWB7FMUHA4WVR3J4BNCGPHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcf5d2383b3ba262e7587e2dc53d6c5887656d169633c1facaf95d0873c1c449&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Media City enveloped in fog. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RQXPBBK5VX3SBCWXUN2FK2DFZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ae26ce8311b0eb31960f5f034d9370e0cc95440e18f6e92b66d3310666e33e4f&width=400&height=225)
Dust storms are also common, causing havoc on the roads such as this one from March, 2017 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I6LUGBD6UC7ETBNVMKCTKAVV6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=640ca7e2d0e105d689df54ce07b5e0334d51d49ef09ec59e84298cfca09cf472&width=400&height=225)
A lightening strike in Umm Al Quwain. Photo: Storm Centre UAE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MEDBPVXQV2JYDK37WDB6IMI6CY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b77e4e5902004deef0cc5fe5d8e7b8618adbefaa158a9b0f16d5d81c37f919d&width=400&height=225)
Another dust storm from 2018. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BLE2XL2HC6DQNBQLWP6CDXVR4U.jpg?smart=true&auth=a4e86d197a37210071ea4cc61c9f13516e23c4e9fd1188c85a3b372c08016f60&width=400&height=225)
A dust storm passes by the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, April, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/55FWWRMRJJVQE2PYATQTXNKRQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a703148c428ce56162cb3a3ff1e488349c017d1f1d34a2bba30c334e9f7a21a&width=400&height=225)
Rain storms can cause the most chaos, however, as the March 2016 one did. A construction barrier fell onto parked cars in Abu Dhabi. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WEN6JDOP3XSBTCSX72CH7NHKKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=439c05d578be75040695d66d5e2f461a2f821ea62142419f7696a07e622e0b7c&width=400&height=225)
Trees were uprooted on 29th Street in Abu Dhabi during the same storm. Ravindranath K / The National
Floods, hurricanes, snow and a plague of locusts - take cover from the UAE's wildest weather
It's not all sunshine and palm trees when winter comes around as history shows
![James Langton](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F59aec61e-41b3-468c-8a69-57168338145b.png?smart=true&auth=20537dd68c837a65707d347b248e74bad34b378390f02a7be13b68d756185b99&width=70&height=70)
James Langton
02 January, 2021
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