UPDATE: More rain and high winds expected in UAE
Abu Dhabi Police asked residents to stay indoors as a rainstorm blew sand and debris through the city on Sunday night.
In a warning message to all residents, Abu Dhabi Police said: "Due to the bad weather please stay indoors and do not go out."
Rain began in the capital at about 6pm on Sunday as gusty winds whipped up sand and lightning flashed across the sky.
Residents reported rain at Khalifa Park, Airport Road and along the Corniche.
At Reem Island, strong winds blew sand and debris from construction sites. In Khalidiya, garage roofs flew off and small branches from trees were blown on to the streets.
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Read more:
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The Ministry of Interior tweeted a warning message asking motorists to drive carefully, as videos of the rain emerged on social media.
#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) November 11, 2018
#أمطار_الخير #أبوظبي #محمد_الحمادي
#هواة_الطقس
#أصدقاء_المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد pic.twitter.com/TEnVdKoB2a
Louvre Abu Dhabi, where first anniversary celebrations were under way, cancelled a concert by British pop star Dua Lipa, which was due to start at 8.30pm. The museum cited bad weather as the reason and requested visitors to stay inside the exhibition spaces for safety.
Please stay in the galleries and exhibition spaces while we assess the weather in the coming hour.
— Louvre Abu Dhabi (@LouvreAbuDhabi) November 11, 2018
On Sunday, the National Centre of Meteorology said heavy clouds would form over areas of the country, particularly in the western coastal region.
The bureau warned of two-metre high waves in the Arabian Gulf and north-westerly wind with speeds of up to 42kph.
رياح شديدة وأتربة على مناطق متفرقة من الدولة . ندعو الإخوة السائقين إلى أخذ الحيطة و الحذر من مفاجآت الطريق
— وزارة الداخلية (@moiuae) November 11, 2018
Severe winds and dust on different parts of the country. We call on drivers to take caution
Rain was also reported in Um Al Sheif in Dubai, near Mall of the Emirates.
Over the next few days, north-westerly winds will push rain clouds over the Arabian Gulf towards the UAE from Kuwait, where storms left one person dead and caused severe flooding.
Temperatures will range between 16°C and 35°C.