UAE Weather: Yellow Alert for Rain and Dust Issued

UAE Issues Yellow Alerts for Rain, Dust, and Sandstorms: High Winds and Reduced Visibility Expected

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a yellow alert for rain over certain eastern and internal areas of the UAE, prompted by the development of convective clouds. This alert is in effect until 8:30 PM on Sunday, June 9. These convective clouds are expected to bring rain, impacting the weather conditions in these regions. In addition to the rain alert, the NCM has also forecasted strong winds, reaching speeds of up to 55 km/hr, which will affect the country.

Earlier in the day, the NCM also issued a yellow alert for dust and sand. This alert was due to winds blowing at speeds of 40 km/hr, which are expected to stir up dust and sand, significantly reducing visibility. The meteorology department warned that horizontal visibility might drop to less than 2000 meters at times, and this condition is expected to persist until 3:00 PM today.

In light of these weather conditions, Abu Dhabi Police issued an advisory on X (formerly Twitter) urging motorists to exercise caution due to the reduced visibility caused by the dust. The police emphasized the importance of staying alert and avoiding distractions, particularly advising drivers not to use their phones while driving.

On Sunday, June 9, the overall weather in the UAE is expected to be fair to partly cloudy, according to the NCM. However, the formation of convective clouds is anticipated to bring rain to some eastern and internal areas by the afternoon. This variability in weather patterns underscores the dynamic nature of the UAE’s climate during this period.

Temperature forecasts indicate that the mercury will soar to highs of 45ºC in Abu Dhabi and 42ºC in Dubai. In other internal areas, temperatures are expected to climb even higher, reaching up to 47ºC. Specifically, in regions like Gasyoura and Mezaira, temperatures could peak at 47ºC, with the humidity index reaching up to 60 percent. Such high temperatures combined with humidity can lead to challenging weather conditions.

The NCM also reported that light to moderate winds, which could become fresh to strong at times, will contribute to blowing dust and sand. These winds are likely to exacerbate the reduction in visibility and create additional challenges for residents and travelers. The sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea are expected to be slight, providing some respite from the otherwise challenging weather.

Reflecting on the recent weather patterns, summer rains have been notable. On Saturday, June 8, Al Watan road, which leads to Hatta, experienced heavy thunderstorms and hail around 5:00 PM. This weather event was captured on video by the Storm Centre, showing storm chaser Fahad Mohamad Abdul Rehman braving the strong winds, rain, and hail with evident enthusiasm. This highlights the unpredictable and dramatic nature of the weather during this period.

The met department issued a yellow alert for rain on Saturday, June 8, as well, with heavy rains impacting parts of Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah. Additionally, on Friday, June 7, the NCM recorded light hail over Wadi Mai in Fujairah. The weather department has also advised residents in eastern areas experiencing heavy rains to be cautious due to the risk of flash floods. This series of weather alerts and advisories emphasizes the importance of staying informed and prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions in the UAE.