UAE weather: more rain this weekend but residents advised to stay indoors

Temperatures are expected to drop as low as 12°C in the mountains and 19°C on the coast on Thursday night

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Rainfall is expected across the country this weekend.

The annual spring rains in late March and early April draw large crowds to the desert and mountains.

But residents have been advised to stay indoors to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Temperatures are expected to drop as low as 12°C in the mountains and 19°C on the coast on Thursday night.

Scattered rainfall, thunder and lightning are expected on Friday and Saturday and rain could continue on Sunday, especially in the north and east of the country.

The Arabic hashtag “sound of rain” was trending in the UAE on Twitter on Thursday morning after rain fell in Samha, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi city.

Social media users shared videos of the rain with popular Arabic songs that celebrate rain.

In the Emirates, cool weather and rain are considered ideal conditions for camping and off-roading in wadis and desert.

But people are advised to pack up tents and firewood, park the car and stay home.

Hotline staff of Dubai Health Authority told The National that "it is best to stay indoors" when asked about socialising outdoors, even in small groups.

But not everyone has stopped socialising. Some shared videos of gatherings at Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba camel racetrack dated March 19 on social media after the rains on Thursday morning.