• Puddles from the brief rainshowers gather on an art sculpture at the Manarat Al Saadiyat Park on Saadiyat Island on Wednesday. Victor Besa / The National.
    Puddles from the brief rainshowers gather on an art sculpture at the Manarat Al Saadiyat Park on Saadiyat Island on Wednesday. Victor Besa / The National.
  • Light rain fell across Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
    Light rain fell across Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
  • The rain pooled on the roads of Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
    The rain pooled on the roads of Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
  • The aftermath of light rain on Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
    The aftermath of light rain on Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
  • Rain clouds roll in across the mangroves along the E12 by Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Showers fell across the emirate. Victor Besa / The National.
    Rain clouds roll in across the mangroves along the E12 by Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Showers fell across the emirate. Victor Besa / The National.
  • Thunder could also be heard across the city.
    Thunder could also be heard across the city.
  • The winter has been milder than usual.
    The winter has been milder than usual.
  • Cloudy weather along the E12, Saadiyat Island.
    Cloudy weather along the E12, Saadiyat Island.
  • Forecasters said more rain could fall on Thursday and Friday along with dust clouds.
    Forecasters said more rain could fall on Thursday and Friday along with dust clouds.
  • Rain clouds drift across the E12 motorway in Abu Dhabi.
    Rain clouds drift across the E12 motorway in Abu Dhabi.
  • The past few months has seen prolonged bouts of sun.
    The past few months has seen prolonged bouts of sun.
  • Conditions were hazy in Dubai, with the city yet to experience substantial rain. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Conditions were hazy in Dubai, with the city yet to experience substantial rain. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Forecasters had predicted rain by the weekend but it was unclear if the major coastal cities would be affected by major downpours. Antonie Robertson / The National.
    Forecasters had predicted rain by the weekend but it was unclear if the major coastal cities would be affected by major downpours. Antonie Robertson / The National.
  • Hazy weather descends on Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National.
    Hazy weather descends on Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National.
  • Dust clouds were also forecast for the UAE by the weekend.
    Dust clouds were also forecast for the UAE by the weekend.
  • Al Kazim Towers on an overcast Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
    Al Kazim Towers on an overcast Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
  • Clouds also drifted past Dubai Marina and JLT on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
    Clouds also drifted past Dubai Marina and JLT on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.

Environment

UAE weather: almost a third of country's annual rain falls in Dibba in a single day

National Centre of Meteorology records close to 30mm in 24 hours

The National

April 29, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE recorded major rainfall figures on Wednesday as downpours lashed the east coast.

At least 27.7mm of rain was recorded at a gauge in Dibba, while 17.1mm fell in nearby Dhadna.

Coming in a close third was Masafi, where 16mm of rain fell.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) released the statistics on Thursday from its comprehensive network of weather gauges across the country.

The east coast was the area most affected, with torrential downpours flooding wadi beds and filling dams.

Major downpours were not recorded in the coastal cities but the town of Ruwais, on Abu Dhabi's western flank, recorded 5.9mm of rain.

A gauge in Razeen, deep in the emirate's desert, recorded 3.8mm of rain, while Reem Island in the city experienced 1.6mm.

The UAE typically receives, on average, about 100mm of rain a year.

The wild weather came after a milder than usual winter with long periods of sunshine.

More rain and dusty weather is forecast for the weekend.

UAEEnvironment