FUJAIRAH // The UAE will escape the worst of a punishing heatwave that is causing the heat index, or feels-like temperature, to soar to 72°C in Iran and 51°C in Iraq, forecasters say.
A ridge of high pressure has forced Iraqi officials to declare a four-day public holiday.
“The extension of the Indian monsoon trough will not affect the temperature in the UAE,” said Sufian Faraah, senior forecaster at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology.
“The temperature is within the average. The highest recorded temperature yesterday over the country was 47.1°C in Al Gheweifat.”
The highest temperature recorded last year in Al Gheweifat was 47.7°C.
However, scattered heavy rainfall that caused flash floods over the weekend in wadis in the northern emirates could continue, especially in mountainous areas.
“The rainy weather will continue in the eastern and southern parts of the country until tomorrow, convective clouds associated with thunder and rain had begun to form above mountains and expected to last throughout the day,” Mr Faraah said.
Thunderstorms and heavy rain on Friday caused floods in Wadi May, Al Hayl in Fujairah, Wadi Al Hilw in Sharjah and Wadi Al Ojaili in RAK. Forecasters predicted more partly cloudy skies over the south and east of the country for the next three days.
Winds will be moderate to strong, with temperatures averaging at highs of 45°C during the day at coastal areas, dipping to 29°C at night.
Inland, daytime highs will be around 47°C and 27°C at night.
Conditions in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea will become rough over the next few days, with humidity increasing during the night and a chance of fog.
Motorists have been warned to be cautious, cut speed and leave enough distance between vehicles due to poor visibility caused by high winds whipping up sand and dust.
The centre warned of poor visibility accompanied by rainfall and winds, which will stir sand and dust in eastern and southern regions.
rhaza@thenational.ae
