UAE weather: thunder and rain hit Abu Dhabi with more expected across the country

Light showers fall across the capital as police warn drivers to be vigilant

Thunder and showers ushered in Wednesday morning for UAE residents as Abu Dhabi got a brief taste of rainfall.

Showers fell across the capital from Khalidiya to Mushrif, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said.

Thunder could also be heard across the city and forecasters said more could be on the way.

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.

The NCM said Dibba on the east coast experienced particularly heavy rain.

Footage posted on social media by the NCM and Storm Centre, a popular UAE channel that tracks extreme weather, showed water surging across roads, streams cascading down valleys and even temporary waterfalls being created.

Other videos showed rain lashing date groves, cars slowing down under torrential downpours and dams filling up.

Abu Dhabi Police warned motorists to drive cautiously in the conditions. "Abu Dhabi Police call on motorists to exercise caution due to the rainy weather and to follow the changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards," the force posted on social media.

Major downpours did not reach the coastal cities, but the NCM gave a warning of more rain across the country on Thursday and Friday, accompanied by a “significant decrease in temperatures”.

It also gave a warning about dust clouds that could cut visibility on the road.

The NCM on Sunday forecast rain to hit the UAE from Wednesday and that the showers could continue into the weekend.

The downpours came after several days of heavy rain in eastern and western parts of the country.

Fujairah was particularly hit from Al Hail to Murbah.

The rain followed a particularly mild winter with periods of prolonged sun.

The UAE recorded only 1.2 millimetres of rain in the first three months of the year.

Rain hits Fujairah – in pictures

Heavy rainfall hammered parts of Fujairah on Monday. All images Courtesy The National Centre of Meteorology

Another video showed torrential downpours at Wadi Helo in Sharjah.

Forecasters predicted eastern and western areas of the country were in for some wet weather.

More rain is forecast for the weekend.

The UAE recorded only 1.2 millimetres of rain in the first three months of the year.