Rain lashes UAE after scorching 49°C temperatures

Low-pressure system brings dust storms, high winds and driving rain in the east

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 19, 2019. – Poor visibility at the Al Rahbah- Old Al Shahama area. 
Victor Besa/The National
Section:  NA
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Temperatures hit 49°C in the UAE this week - but rain also lashed parts of the UAE on Friday.

Videos posted to Storm Centre, a popular UAE channel dedicated to extreme weather, showed driving rain, high winds and towering black clouds rolling across Ajman, Al Ain and Umm Al Quwain.

The National Centre of Meteorology also reported rain in parts of Dubai and Sharjah.

Al Ain also experienced heavy heavy late on Thursday, while Storm Centre videos showed major flooding in the wadis across the Omani border in Buraimi.

It comes following a change in the intense heat that seared the UAE earlier this week.

Winds carrying dry heat from southern Arabia brought soaring temperatures. High humidity compounded the problem.

But the winds switched to north-westerly from Tuesday, with a low-pressure system bringing the high winds of up to 50kph, dust storms and rough seas.

Authorities warned people to be careful on the roads and maintain a safe distance between vehicles.

The summer weather in the UAE's east is also affected by India's monsoons. The rainy season has already started in India, but the tail end of these rain-soaked clouds can drift east across the ocean, bringing dark clouds and rain.

Meanwhile, the NCM said the slightly cooler weather will continue into next week.

Temperatures will reach as high as 43°C on Friday, while it could sink as low as 21°C in the mountains. Humidity is also forecast to rise along coastal regions by the evening.

Forecasters also warned winds of 50kph could churn up the Arabian Gulf.