UAE issues yellow alert as thunderstorms, rain expected across several emirates
Unsettled conditions are forecast to continue through Tuesday
ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is bracing for possible rain on Saturday afternoon, with the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) warning of convective clouds and rainfall across several parts of the country.
A yellow weather alert is in effect from 1.30pm until 9pm, covering eastern, southern and western areas and extending into parts of the interior. The forecast comes a day after heavy rain, thunder and lightning affected parts of Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The NCM said convective clouds may develop during the afternoon, bringing light to moderate rain that could become heavy at times. Fresh to strong winds are also expected in affected areas, with blowing dust and sand potentially reducing horizontal visibility.
Saturday forecast
Saturday is expected to remain fair to partly cloudy overall, with convective cloud formations likely to develop over eastern and southern areas during the afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to rise gradually, reaching highs of 46°C in Abu Dhabi and 44°C in both Dubai and Sharjah. Minimum temperatures across the three emirates are expected to be around 33°C.
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Winds will generally be light to moderate, blowing from the southeast to northeast and freshening at times. Speeds could reach up to 50 kilometres per hour, particularly as convective clouds develop.
Humidity is expected to increase overnight and into Sunday morning over some coastal areas. Forecast humidity ranges from 15 to 65 percent in Abu Dhabi, 20 to 60 percent in Dubai and 15 to 55 percent in Sharjah.
The Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman are expected to remain slight.
Unsettled pattern
The possibility of rain is expected to extend beyond Saturday. On Sunday, conditions will remain fair to partly cloudy at times, with clouds developing over eastern areas during the afternoon. Humidity is forecast to increase overnight and into Monday morning over some coastal areas.
On Monday, clouds could again develop over eastern areas and may become convective during the afternoon. Humid conditions are forecast overnight and into Tuesday morning along parts of the coast, with a possibility of fog or mist.
The unsettled pattern is forecast to continue into Tuesday, when convective clouds could form over eastern areas and bring further afternoon rain. Winds may strengthen at times to around 40 kilometres per hour, while seas are expected to remain slight in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman.
The latest forecast follows the heavy weather recorded in parts of Abu Dhabi on Friday. Thunder and lightning accompanied the rainfall, prompting precautionary measures in the capital and Al Ain.
Abu Dhabi City Municipality temporarily closed parks, recreational facilities and affiliated beaches and suspended events, while Al Ain City Municipality also announced temporary park closures. The measures were introduced as a precaution amid fluctuating weather conditions and heavy rainfall.
Al Ain later announced that its parks had reopened, followed by Abu Dhabi's reopening of parks, recreational facilities and affiliated beaches.