ABU DHABI // Gathering clouds threaten rain over the eastern and western regions at the start of this week, according to the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology.
Scattered rain has been on the radar and started falling sporadically in the mountains and near Al Ain late last week. More of the same is expected this week, said NCMS meteorologist Sufian Farrah.
“For three days, the country has witnessed different intensities of rain,” said Mr Farrah. “We had scattered heavy rain mainly over the northeastern and eastern regions – the mountainous regions.
“The western regions, since Thursday and Friday, witnessed convective clouds, meaning varying intensities of rain.”
Most of the rain fell along the wadis in the northeastern regions, which saw an accumulation of about 20.2 millimetres. East of Al Ain, up to 12mm of rain has fallen.
Mr Farrah warned that the clouds typically cause a downdraft that can lead to strong surface winds and low visibility from blowing dust or sand.
Over the next two days, the chance of rain will be greatest in the eastern and western regions, where the convective clouds are heaviest.
“On Sunday, rain is most likely over the western region,” said Mr Farrah yesterday. “On Monday, it is the turn of the eastern region.”
Humidity is also expected to increase overnight and into tomorrow morning, leading to a chance of mist or patches of fog over the western region.
“We’d like the motorists to take precautions because of poor visibility,” said Mr Farrah. “Visibility is reduced east of Al Ain because of these clouds, because the downwind lifts sand or dust.”
Coastal temperatures over the next two days will reach a high of between 37°C and 41°C, while the mountain region will feel considerably cooler, with highs expected to be between 27°C to 33°C.
The weather for the rest of the week will be hazy, with partly cloudy skies.
rpennington@thenational.ae.