UAE weather: Dubai and Abu Dhabi set for more rain

Rain is to continue across the country into Friday morning

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 31, 2019.   AUH weather at the Marina Mall area.
Victor Besa/The National
Section:  NA
Reporter:
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Rain is expected across the UAE at the weekend with parts of the Northern Emirates reporting showers on Thursday.

Clouds turned grey and heavy rain fell over Fujairah on Thursday morning in Dibba and Aqah.

Forecasters said more was due overnight in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and along the rest of the West Coast of the country.

Earlier on Thursday, the National Centre for Meteorology issued an orange 'Be Prepared' warning to residents and Emiratis on the East Coast of the country. It said rain and high winds would cause rough seas.

The bureau issued a second warning at 11am after a sandstorm appeared to sweep across Abu Dhabi emirate.

Forecasters called on residents to 'Be Aware' after blowing dust picked up by gusty winds of 40kph dramatically reduced visibility.

The dust was expected to give way to rain over the course of the weekend. The showers were expected to continue through to Friday morning but cease by the afternoon. Skies will be completely clear by Saturday, the bureau said.

The rainy spell will drop temperatures as low as 6°C in the mountains, while the rest of the country will average 20°C over the next few days.

Wind speeds may reach 42kph in the coast and in mountainous regions. The gusts will cause further sand storms in some parts of the country, the bureau said.

The sea will be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman. The NCM said the winds would cause offshore waves at heights between 1.2 and 1.8 metres.

Last week, a three-day storm caused heavy flooding across the country as drains were blocked by dust and sand – resulting in widespread damage to cars and property.

On Tuesday, Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, told the Federal National Council, pledged Dh500 million of investment in key projects to mitigate the damaging affect of extreme weather.

He said dams and flyovers would be constructed to reduce disruption caused by flooding.

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Recent snow on UAE's Jebel Jais