UAE weather: Rain and clouds as forecasters warn of rough seas

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ABU DHABI // Yesterday’s cool, rainy conditions across most of the country and dangerous seas are expected to continue at least until this afternoon, the weather bureau says.

Rain fell over the western part of the UAE and the islands on Friday night, and continued at intervals throughout yesterday.

“The chance of light rain is expected for Sunday and mostly it will be over the northern and eastern regions of the country,” said meteorologist Sufian Farrah.

The capital received enough rain to coat the roads, but Dubai Police tweeted a warning to drivers yesterday afternoon, advising them to reduce speed during rain to keep their vehicles from sliding.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport reported a crash on Sheikh Zayed Road towards Tarif at 11.10am, and another on the E10 at 10.55am, although it was unknown whether the conditions were a factor.

In the capital, about 0.8 millimetres of rain had fallen along the Corniche by the evening, the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology said.

“But I think in other areas it’s more,” forecaster Dr Ahmed Habib said. “There’s been light to moderate rain.”

Abu Al Abyad, an island off Abu Dhabi, recorded 49.8mm – the heaviest rainfall recorded yesterday.

The NCMS said it carried out five cloud-seeding operations across the country on Saturday.

“Dubai and Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain – all the main cities received rain on Friday night and Saturday,” said Dr Habib.

He said the western parts of the country received heavy rain.

Dr Habib said temperatures yesterday dropped “about 4ºC or 5ºC” in general. Eighteen out of 66 weather stations recorded highs between 10ºC and 20ºC, which is in some cases up to 10ºC lower than Friday’s.

“These stations were mostly over the western regions and the coastal regions and the high mountains,” said Mr Farrah.

Although the chance of rain is expected to gradually decrease throughout the day today, giving way to partly cloudy skies, cooler temperatures will prevail.

“No big change on Sunday,” Dr Habib said. But fewer clouds are expected today, which means the temperature will increase slightly.

Coastal highs today are expected to reach between 24ºC and 25ºC, with 22ºC and 24ºC in the interior areas, and from 12ºC to 19ºC in the mountains.

Dr Habib warned of dangerous conditions in the Arabian Sea, where waves were climbing to 3 metres. In the Oman Sea, the waves were up to 2 metres high. The seas are expected to remain rough until tomorrow.

“It’s very dangerous so everybody should take care,” said Dr Habib. “It will be rough.”

rpennington@thenational.ae