UAE weather: rain and sandstorms sweep across the country

Police urge drivers to be vigilant amid deteriorating conditions

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  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.

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  Light rain fell across Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.

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  The rain pooled on the roads of Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.

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  The aftermath of light rain on Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.

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  Rain clouds roll in across the mangroves along the E12 by Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Showers fell across the emirate. Victor Besa / The National.

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  Thunder could also be heard across the city.

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  The winter has been milder than usual.

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  Cloudy weather along the E12, Saadiyat Island.

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

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  Rain clouds drift across the E12 motorway in Abu Dhabi.

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  The past few months has seen prolonged bouts of sun.

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  Conditions were hazy in Dubai, with the city yet to experience substantial rain. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  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.

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  Hazy weather descends on Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National.

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

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  Al Kazim Towers on an overcast Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.

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  Clouds also drifted past Dubai Marina and JLT on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.

Rain and sandstorms have swept across the UAE creating difficult conditions on the roads.

Abu Dhabi Police warned drivers to be extra vigilant because of dust clouds.

Videos posted to social media showed cars slowing to a crawl in Dubai because of poor visibility.

"Abu Dhabi Police urges drivers to be cautious due to low visibility during high winds and dust, and for your safety and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone," it said.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) cautioned that winds of up to 45kph could kick up dust clouds and reduce visibility.

It also warned of downpours until at least Wednesday, with the east particularly affected.

"[It will be] dusty and partly cloudy to cloudy, especially over the northern and eastern areas and extending to some internal areas, with some rainy convective clouds formation," the NCM said.

"Northwesterly winds, fresh to strong at times [will cause] blowing dust and sand, reducing the horizontal visibility."

The UAE's east coast has been chiefly affected by the torrential downpours. Videos posted to social media by the NCM showed rainwater surging through wadis, dams filling and motorists navigating flooded roads.

The country recorded major rainfall figures on Wednesday when downpours hit their peak.

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

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.