Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah Slammed by Hailstorms and Severe Thunderstorms

Unstable weather made a loud entrance in the UAE on Thursday, with hail, thunderstorms, and strong winds sweeping across Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. What started offshore quickly turned intense as powerful storm clouds moved inland, bringing heavy rain and rough seas with them.

Sharjah Sees Heavy Rain and Gusty Winds

Sharjah was hit with intense rainfall as convective clouds pushed in from the sea, driven by the Al Bashayer low-pressure system. Khor Fakkan saw some of the heaviest rain, while Al Hamriyah experienced strong showers paired with gusty winds.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the emirate shifted between partly cloudy and fully cloudy skies, with rain falling at varying levels. Winds stayed moderate to strong, occasionally kicking up dust and sand and reducing visibility.

Temperatures hovered around 27°C on Thursday, with winds reaching up to 50 km/h. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf turned rough to very rough, with offshore waves climbing as high as nine feet. The Sea of Oman also remained rough.

Cooler Temps and Rough Seas Ahead

By Friday, temperatures are expected to drop to around 23°C as unstable conditions continue. Winds may strengthen further, potentially reaching 60 km/h, while sea conditions remain rough to very rough.

The weather is expected to slowly calm down over the weekend. Saturday could still bring clouds and a chance of rain, but by Sunday and Monday, conditions should be more settled. Humidity, however, is likely to rise overnight and early in the morning.

Ras Al Khaimah Hit by Hailstorm and Thunder

Ras Al Khaimah faced even tougher conditions, with a powerful hailstorm hitting parts of the emirate on Thursday. Areas like Ghalilah and Khor Khuwair reported hail, heavy rain, and strong winds as storm cells rapidly intensified near the coast.

NCM noted that the storm showed signs of violent thunderstorm activity, including strong downdraft winds. Heavy rain and gusts, sometimes damaging, were reported across coastal areas, along with lightning and thunder.

Authorities Urge Caution as Storms Persist

Meteorologists warned residents not to underestimate the strength of the system. People were advised to stay alert, avoid valleys and flood-prone areas, and be cautious of sudden wind bursts and low visibility.

Temperatures in Ras Al Khaimah reached around 28°C on Thursday, with winds gusting up to 60 km/h. Seas in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman remained rough to very rough, especially during storm activity.

Unstable weather is expected to continue into Friday, with cooler temperatures and ongoing risks of rain, hail, and strong winds. Conditions should gradually improve from Saturday onward, though rough seas may linger.