DUBAI // Heavy rain and thunder greeted commuters yesterday morning in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Surprised residents voiced their amazement on Twitter. “Raining! In 19 years in the Middle East I’ve never seen it rain in August,” said one resident, Tara Rogers.
Another, John Kripsy, said: “I forgot what rain feels like. When u live in Dubai for so long u forget there’s something called ‘rain’.”
“It is unusual for this season,” said a forecaster at the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology. “During the last three decades, there have been cases like this, but not that many.”
The NCMS forecaster said a severe weather warning for coastal areas has been issued, with waves expected to reach two metres.
"We would also urge people to take care on the roads, as there is reduced visibility," he said.
He said that although it would remain cloudy until tomorrow, the worst was over.
“The weather will improve gradually, but still there’s some chance for rain, particularly in the northern parts of the country and in the east,” he said.
“I can’t say if there will be more rain over Dubai, but the possibility is there.”
[ mcroucher@thenational.ae ]
For a five-day weather forecast for the UAE click here.
