UAE weather: Dubai and Abu Dhabi set for showers


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Strong winds caused havoc for high-rise workers in Dubai, as the UAE experienced more unsettled weather on Wednesday.

Abu Dhabi had rain and thunder during the morning, and the wet conditions were set to spread to Dubai.

The gusts caused several window cleaning platforms to smash into the side of a high-rise tower block in Dubai Marina, leaving workers suspended 67 floors up.

At least one apartment balcony on the 72nd floor of Sulafa Tower was damaged when a hanging cradle, which cleaners normally use to clean the outside of buildings, swayed wildly back and forth.

Dan Jarvis, a resident on the 74th floor, filmed the incident from his balcony just metres away.

"I was supposed to be working but the noise of the wind is horrific up here," he told The National.

  • Dark clouds over Dubai during the recent wet spell in April. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dark clouds over Dubai during the recent wet spell in April. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Clouds covering the Burj Khalifa after the rain in Dubai on April 16. Pawan Singh / The National
    Clouds covering the Burj Khalifa after the rain in Dubai on April 16. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Rain comes down at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Rain comes down at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A man walks in the rain while covering himself in a plastic sheet in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A man walks in the rain while covering himself in a plastic sheet in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Deliveroo drivers hide from the rain in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Deliveroo drivers hide from the rain in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Heay rain on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Heay rain on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A construction worker in the rain on Kite Beach in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A construction worker in the rain on Kite Beach in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Rain on Kite Beach with a lone lifeguard station in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Rain on Kite Beach with a lone lifeguard station in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A heavy machinery driver takes cover from the rain in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A heavy machinery driver takes cover from the rain in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A pedestrian walks in the rain in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A pedestrian walks in the rain in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Shoppers take cover from the downpour at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Shoppers take cover from the downpour at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A rainstorm in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A rainstorm in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Rain and thunder hits Abu Dhabi. Roy Cooper / The National
    Rain and thunder hits Abu Dhabi. Roy Cooper / The National
  • Rain and thunder hits Abu Dhabi. Roy Cooper / The National
    Rain and thunder hits Abu Dhabi. Roy Cooper / The National

“Two of the workers managed to get onto the balcony.

“I didn't see them jump out, it’s just a fair assumption as they are currently replacing the cladding on the whole buildling and they've been going past my balcony the past couple weeks.”

Civil Defence attended the scene and the two workers were safe.

“They have literally tied themselves to the building so they're not swinging," Mr Jarvis said.

The National Centre of Meteorology had earlier forecast "rainfall, convective clouds and blowing dust and sand amid winds reaching up to 45kph".

It confirmed moderate to heavy rain fell in the Al Dhafrah area during the morning, while light rain fell overnight in parts of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain.

The wet weather is forecast to continue during the next few days, with "some rainfall" forecast for Thursday and "a chance of lightning and thunder" on both Friday and Saturday, according to the NCM.

The country has seen a number of rainy days this month, and cloud seeding missions have been continuing.

April is considered one of the first transitional months and is characterised by swift changes in atmospheric conditions which bring an increase in cloud and chance of rain.

Temperatures have ramped up in recent days, reaching as high as 44°C in desert areas, and more than 40°C in cities as summer approaches. These temperatures are well above the average for April, which are normally in the mid-30s based on historical data.

The weather bureau expects thermometers to touch 40°C in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Wednesday.

It will be moderate, becoming rough at times in the Arabian Gulf and in the Sea of Oman.

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPros%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEasy%20to%20use%20and%20require%20less%20rigorous%20credit%20checks%20than%20traditional%20credit%20options%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOffers%20the%20ability%20to%20spread%20the%20cost%20of%20purchases%20over%20time%2C%20often%20interest-free%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EConvenient%20and%20can%20be%20integrated%20directly%20into%20the%20checkout%20process%2C%20useful%20for%20online%20shopping%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHelps%20facilitate%20cash%20flow%20planning%20when%20used%20wisely%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECons%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20ease%20of%20making%20purchases%20can%20lead%20to%20overspending%20and%20accumulation%20of%20debt%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMissing%20payments%20can%20result%20in%20hefty%20fees%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20high%20interest%20rates%20after%20an%20initial%20interest-free%20period%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFailure%20to%20make%20payments%20can%20impact%20credit%20score%20negatively%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERefunds%20can%20be%20complicated%20and%20delayed%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ECourtesy%3A%20Carol%20Glynn%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).

Company profile

Date started: December 24, 2018

Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer

Based: Dubai Media City

Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)

Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech

Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year

Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000