Winter Weather Alert Issued as UAE is Hit by Hail, Rain, and Winds
Rare hail and stormy winter conditions sweep the UAE, with authorities urging caution as winds and showers spread across emirates.
The United Arab Emirates was hit by an unusual bout of wintry weather on Monday, with parts of the country experiencing hail, heavy rain and strong winds as a winter weather alert was issued by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Early on Monday morning, residents in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Rams area reported hail showers, a rare occurrence in the typically warm Gulf climate, with videos circulating on social media showing people scooping up hail from the ground.
The unstable weather system swept through the Northern Emirates and brought heavy rainfall overnight, while lighter showers fell across Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Sunday.
Temperatures dropped noticeably in some areas, with Jebel Jais Mountain in Ras Al Khaimah recording just 4.7°C early Monday, reflecting the influence of a cold snap moving over the region.
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The NCM warned of strong winds, gusts reaching up to 45 km/h, expected to persist through Monday evening, and forecast further light rainfall and cloudy spells for much of the UAE throughout the day.
Forecasts also suggest fog conditions may develop on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, with temperatures gradually climbing later in the week before settling back into more typical seasonal ranges.
Authorities continue to advise motorists and residents to stay alert to changing conditions, particularly in northern and eastern areas where showers were heaviest and winds most pronounced.