UAE weather: Jebel Jais mountain road closed as rainstorm looms

Police are yet to say if it will reopen this weekend

Hundreds of walkers were rescued from Jebel Jais by helicopter in April when flash floods left the mountain impassable .Courtesy: RAK Tourism Authority 

The main road to the country's tallest mountain closed on Thursday as police warned of changeable weather conditions in the coming days.

Ras Al Khaimah police urged drivers in the Jebel Jais area to be "extra cautious" and avoid wadis that could flood quickly.

Officials are yet to determine whether it will reopen this weekend.

The mountain is popular with weekend hikers and thrill-seekers, while the winding road is regarded as one of the best driving routes in the Middle East.

In April, hundreds of walkers had to be airlifted from Jebel Jais in dramatic scenes after a night on the storm-hit mountain.

The National Centre of Meterology predicted heavy rain just off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah that could make land on Friday and Saturday.

Temperatures in RAK and the Northern Emirates will peak at just 16C and see lows of 8C, according to the NCM's weather chart.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi largely escaped the rainfall that was forecast for this week, with only isolated showers reported around the country.

The coastal cities are forecast to be dry and sunny for the last weekend before Christmas, with highs of 26C and lows of 16C.

Fujairah and the east coast - which were lashed by the Indian Ocean cyclone Kyarr in late October, will be mostly dry this weekend.