Get Alerts

UAE weather today: Heavy rain, hail and strong winds hit all emirates

Second wave of unstable weather expected before conditions improve

UAE weather
Caption: Heavy rain, hail and strong winds sweep across the UAE, impacting multiple emirates and prompting safety alerts.
Source: Screengrabs
    25 Mar, 2026


DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced another day of highly unstable weather on Wednesday, as convective cloud systems driven by a low-pressure system brought widespread rain, hail, and strong winds across multiple emirates.

Conditions shifted rapidly throughout the day, with sudden downpours, reduced visibility, and hazardous driving conditions reported nationwide. Authorities intensified response measures, issuing safety alerts and deploying emergency teams to manage the impact.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology, the current weather pattern is part of successive waves affecting the country, with further rainfall expected into Thursday and early Friday before gradual improvement.

Abu Dhabi

Weather in Abu Dhabi changed dramatically by late morning. Around 11am, strong winds began sweeping through the emirate, followed by light showers that quickly intensified into short but heavy bursts of rain. These rapid transitions were caused by fast-developing storm cells, a hallmark of convective weather systems.

Authorities activated speed reduction systems across major roads, including Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Road, Mohammad Bin Rashid Road and the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain route, limiting vehicles to 100 km/h during peak rainfall periods. Later in the afternoon, speed limits were restored to normal as conditions stabilised slightly.

A notable development was the occurrence of freezing rain in parts of the emirate, highlighting the intensity and variability of the weather system. The highest temperature recorded in the UAE on Wednesday was 31.6°C in Mukhariz, Al Dhafra Region, despite ongoing rainfall.

Dubai

Dubai witnessed steady rainfall throughout the day, with cloud cover creating dramatic skies over the city’s skyline. Images shared by authorities showed iconic landmarks partially obscured by thick clouds, while streets were soaked by intermittent showers.

The Roads and Transport Authority urged motorists to exercise caution, warning that wet roads significantly increase braking distances and the risk of accidents. Residents were seen navigating the rain with umbrellas, while traffic moved steadily under cautious driving conditions.

Dubai Municipality remained on high alert, monitoring reports and responding to water accumulation to maintain smooth traffic flow. Meanwhile, a timelapse shared by weather trackers illustrated the movement of rain clouds across the emirate, capturing the evolving intensity of the system.

Sharjah

Sharjah experienced a mix of rainfall, strong winds and hail during the day. Authorities implemented precautionary measures, including the temporary closure of Al Awza Street in Al Dhaid due to valley flows caused by heavy rain.

Sharjah Civil Defence heightened its readiness, deploying teams to respond quickly to emergencies and ensure public safety. The municipality also worked continuously to address waterlogging and maintain infrastructure efficiency.

Sharjah Airport issued advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses before travelling, as weather conditions could disrupt schedules.

Ajman

Rain swept across Ajman, transforming the emirate under grey, cloud-filled skies. Visuals shared by the Ajman Government Media Office showed steady showers across residential and urban areas.

Ajman Police urged residents to remain cautious, particularly on the roads, as wet surfaces and reduced visibility posed risks to motorists.

Umm Al Quwain

Authorities in Umm Al Quwain took precautionary steps by temporarily closing a cemetery until Saturday due to unstable weather conditions. The move was aimed at ensuring public safety and allowing necessary maintenance amid ongoing rainfall.

Officials emphasised the importance of public cooperation during this period, as weather conditions are expected to remain unstable until Friday.

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah saw some of the most intense weather activity of the day, with confirmed hailstorms reported in areas such as Al Shaam and Wadi Al Qor. Footage showed significant accumulation of hail, covering roads and open areas in white layers.

Authorities issued safety alerts urging residents to avoid flood-prone zones, maintain safe driving distances, and stay away from beaches during the unstable weather.

Meteorologists note that mountainous terrain in Ras Al Khaimah enhances thundercloud development, making it more susceptible to hailstorms during seasonal transitions.

Fujairah

Fujairah experienced heavy rainfall and dangerous flash flooding, particularly in wadis. In Dibba’s Al Halah area, a motorist narrowly escaped injury after exiting his vehicle moments before it was swept away by floodwaters.

Police confirmed that the driver was unharmed but stressed the seriousness of such incidents. Authorities warned against entering wadis during rainfall, as water levels can rise rapidly and become life-threatening within minutes.

Additional hazards were reported on roads such as the Fujairah Port Tunnel route, where water accumulation and heavy truck traffic created dangerous conditions.

Al Ain

In Al Ain, authorities coordinated with strategic partners to ensure public safety and maintain traffic flow amid rainfall.

Municipal teams worked to manage water accumulation and respond to weather-related challenges.

UAE weather

Across the UAE, the weather was marked by rapid changes, with light rain quickly intensifying into heavy downpours. Thunderstorms, lightning, and occasional hail were reported in several regions.

Strong winds, reaching speeds of up to 55 km/h, contributed to blowing dust and reduced visibility in some areas. Offshore and mountainous regions recorded the highest rainfall levels, with data from March 24 showing:

  • Das Island: 47.9mm
  • Dayyinah Island: 39.7mm
  • Jebel Mebrah: 33.3mm
  • Jebel Yanas: 31.6mm
  • Abu Dhabi Corniche: 28.3mm

According to weather experts, hail formation is linked to strong updrafts created by high surface temperatures. These currents lift water droplets to colder layers of the atmosphere, where they freeze before falling as ice pellets.

Such conditions are more common during the transition from winter to spring, when atmospheric instability increases. While hail may appear unusual in desert environments, it is a recognised phenomenon under these conditions.

Regions such as Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, with mountainous terrain, are particularly prone to stronger hail activity.

Warnings issued

Authorities across the UAE issued multiple warnings throughout the day. Residents were advised to avoid valleys, flood-prone areas, and beaches, while motorists were urged to reduce speed and maintain safe distances.

The Ministry of Interior emphasised the importance of relying on official information and avoiding the spread of unverified content, particularly regarding weather-related sounds such as thunder.

The National Early Warning System remained a key tool in alerting the public to evolving conditions.

Weather forecast

Forecasts indicate that unstable weather will continue in successive waves until Saturday, March 28. A second wave is expected to begin Thursday evening, initially affecting western regions before moving across the country.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and isolated hail are likely during this period. Conditions are expected to gradually improve by Friday night, with clearer skies forecast for Saturday, accompanied by cooler temperatures and strong northwesterly winds.

Sea conditions are expected to remain rough in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, particularly near convective cloud formations.

Flexible hours, site safety and emergency plans advised during unstable weather in UAE

TravelsDubai Report

Web Team

SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

Facebook Comments

Related News

top stories

Videos

Hospitality

Top Stories

Trending