The UAE is in the middle of an unsettled spell of weather, with more rain, strong winds and morning fog forecast and showers expected to continue across the east through the weekend.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said cloud formations over eastern, western and southern areas, possibly reaching some inland areas, could bring drizzle to moderate rain, heavy at times, with dust-stirring winds continuing through Friday.
What happened on Monday
The spell is already under way. On Monday, rain ranging from drizzle to heavy showers fell on Al Ain city, Shawka in Ras Al Khaimah, and western Shawka and eastern Mleiha in Sharjah’s Central Region. Hail was reported in Al Ukhaidir and Mleiha. Runoff flowed across Al Watan Road towards Hatta after the downpours.
The pattern fits the NCM’s earlier forecast. On October 10 it flagged a chance of rain over the following days and explained that convective cloud does not guarantee rainfall, only a chance of it.
The forecast, day by day
According to the latest reporting:
- Wednesday: Rain is expected in the south-east, with winds forecast to reach up to 50kph. Fujairah is expected to see wet weather. Some western areas may be humid overnight, with a chance of fog or light fog into the morning.
- Thursday: Al Ain is expected to see rain. Humid conditions overnight bring a chance of fog in some coastal and inland areas in the morning.
- Friday and Saturday: Convective clouds forming in the east are likely to bring rainfall. Fog is possible again on Friday morning in some coastal and inland areas.
- Sunday: Wet weather is likely in the north-east.
Forecasts of this type can shift. Convective storms are local, so one valley can see heavy rain while a nearby town stays dry.
Why the weather matters
Rain in the Hajar Mountains and nearby wadis can cause fast runoff even when the sky above a given town is clear. That is why water flowing across a road towards Hatta is more than a curiosity. It shows how quickly conditions can change in the east.
Hail and strong winds add further risks. Winds of up to 50kph can lift dust and cut visibility on roads, and morning fog can reduce visibility further on highways.
Practical steps for residents
These are general safety points rather than official instructions from the NCM:
- Check the NCM’s forecast and warnings before travelling, especially to the east and mountain areas.
- Avoid crossing flooded roads and wadis, and keep clear of areas where water is flowing.
- Slow down and leave more distance in fog, rain and dust.
- Keep up with updates from local police and authorities, which often issue specific road guidance in bad weather.
Weekend plans
The rain is more likely to affect outdoor plans in the east and in mountain areas than in the western desert. Residents planning weekend trips to Fujairah, Hatta or the Hajar range should watch the forecast closely and have an alternative ready.
For Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the wider coast, the weather is described generally as fair to partly cloudy, with chances of rain and fog in some areas. Temperatures have eased after the summer peak, but unsettled spells like this are a reminder that the season is changing.
What to watch
Keep an eye on the NCM’s daily bulletins. The pattern of convective clouds will decide where the heaviest rain lands, and forecasts are likely to be updated as the week goes on.
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