The UAE woke to clearer skies this morning after dramatic storms hit the emirates overnight.
Heavy rain lashed Abu Dhabi and Dubai with thunder and lightning before midnight.
Strong winds and possible rainfall are expected again today, although it will feel much cooler than yesterday when temperatures reached 35°C during the afternoon amid a backdrop of dusty skies.
Forecasters said temperatures will drop to lows of 15°C in Abu Dhabi and 16°C in Dubai and Sharjah, with highs of around 25°C. On Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain, it will be a chilly 6°C.
#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد#أمطار_الخير #مليحة #الشارقة #خليل_أهلي #هواة_الطقس#أصدقاء_المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد pic.twitter.com/RuTbYzTHA8
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) March 17, 2019
The inclement weather led the Ministry of Interior to issue a video warning people in rural areas of the country to stay away from places that could become treacherous during heavy rain.
Sections of an old six-storey residential building in Ras Al Khaimah broke off in chunks, prompting an evacuation, after it rained.
Yesterday's sandstorm "was not unusual", according to a spokesperson from the National Centre of Meteorology.
First time playing with video editing. Storm seen from a flight out of #dubai tonight, over #Sharjah or Arabian Sea. Vid speed 30% @k_k_jahwari @ericfisher pic.twitter.com/d5XT25w0wX
— Dave (@DavidMRohde) March 18, 2019
“We are still in the winter season and wherever there is wind, there is dust.”
He said the wet conditions will become more infrequent over the next month as summer approaches.
North-westerly winds of up to 50kph will whip up dust and reduce visibility, and cause waves to surge from 1.5 to 2.1 metres on the east coast in the Sea of Oman.
The strong winds are expected to continue until the weekend.
Police on Sunday advised motorists to reduce their speed and reminded them to leave a safe distance between vehicles.
