UAE weather: hailstones bigger than dirham coins hit Sharjah

Video posted to social media showed residents in Kalba holding large pieces of the ice in their hands

Some of the huge hailstones that fell in the UAE. National Centre of Meteorology

Hail the size of stones is falling on the UAE.

Video posted to social media showed residents in Sharjah's Kalba holding large pieces of the ice in their hands.

The footage was posted on Monday by the National Centre of Meteorology. Some of the hailstones in the clip have the circumference of a dirham coin.

More rain and hail fell across the UAE on Tuesday – largely in the east again – affecting Fujairah and parts of Ras Al Khaimah in particular. Footage showed lashing rain forcing drivers to slow down.

Meteorologists are warning people to be prepared for hazardous weather.

"[There is] a chance of convective cloud formation associated with rainfall and fresh to strong winds causing blowing dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility," it said.

It comes as a period of wet, windy and dusty weather continues to sweep across the country – with the east coast taking the brunt of the downpours over the past week.

The costal cities have not experienced huge degrees of rain but dust storms contributed to a 34-vehicle road accident in Dubai on Monday.

The National Centre of Meteorology issued a warning about more unsettled weather ahead, with potential rain in the east forecast until Thursday.

UAE's unsettled weather - in pictures

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.

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.

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.

The winter has been milder than usual.

Cloudy weather along the E12, Saadiyat Island.

Forecasters said more rain could fall on Thursday and Friday along with dust clouds.

Rain clouds drift across the E12 motorway in Abu Dhabi.

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

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.

Dust clouds were also forecast for the UAE by the weekend.

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.