UAE residents warned of stormy weather this weekend

Thunder, rain and high winds as depression expected to arrive

Rain is expected in parts of the UAE over the next few days. Jonathan Raymond / The National
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For many, this coming weekend marks the start of the Christmas holidays as the school term ends and families head off overseas or begin their festive preparations in the UAE.

They may need to factor the weather into any plans, however, as forecasters today issued a weather warning.

The National Center for Meteorology tweeted that unstable conditions are expected between Friday and Monday with rain, thunder and high winds set to arrive.

Forecasters said that the country "will be affected by an extended surface depression and upper air low pressure".

It advised that drivers take extra caution in wet conditions, and people should stay away from "water collection places" especially in the highlands. Going offshore was also not advised due to rough seas.

The first significant winter rainfall in the capital arrived last week with chillier temperatures felt around the city.

Residents took to social media to show off the dark clouds and puddles in areas such as Reem Island.

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Read more:

Extreme weather in the UAE: Tales of sun, sand and even snow

Remembering the UAE’s Great Storm one year on

Eerie but beautiful: The UAE’s changing landscape in winter – in pictures

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European expats already back in their homeland experienced significant weather of their own this week, with a blanket of snow across much of the UK causing travel chaos.

As many as 50,000 British Airways passengers were stranded worldwide because delays in the de-icing of planes which led to a backlog of flights.

NAUNTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE - DECEMBER 12:  Racehorses workout in heavy snow conditions during the morning gallops at the yard of national hunt trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies on December 12, 2017 in Naunton, Gloucestershire.  (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Racehorses workout in heavy snow conditions in Naunton, Gloucestershire, England. Michael Steele / Getty Images