Residents should brace for more rain starting Monday, October 21, as unstable weather continues to sweep across the UAE during the transition from summer to winter, according to a report by Khaleej Times.
Over the past week, several emirates — including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah — have witnessed heavy to moderate rainfall, strong winds, and a noticeable dip in temperatures. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said this shift is linked to a surface low-pressure system interacting with an upper-air trough, leading to thicker cloud cover and increased atmospheric instability.
“Next week, on October 21 and beyond, cloud cover is expected to bring some rainfall to the eastern and southern parts of the UAE. Clouds will form over scattered areas,” NCM meteorologist Dr. Ahmed Habib told Khaleej Times.
He explained that the weather changes began about a week ago when a low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea began influencing the region’s atmosphere. “This brings high humidity and clouds, especially in the mornings, and sometimes leads to heavy rainfall in the mountains and southeastern areas,” Habib said.
Temperatures have also dropped notably across the country. On Sunday, Al Shawamekh in Abu Dhabi recorded a high of 39.3°C, while Ras Al Khaimah’s mountainous regions saw lows of 18.1°C.
Habib added that convective clouds have been forming in several emirates, including Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Dubai, Al Ain, and Abu Dhabi. “Depending on intensity, rainfall can vary, and occasionally these clouds even produce hail. This is normal for this transitional period,” he said.
Last week, Dubai’s Expo area saw moderate to heavy showers, while other parts of the country experienced varying rainfall levels. “We continue to monitor the skies. Cloud formation will likely occur in scattered areas next week, particularly in eastern and southern regions,” Habib noted.
He also cited residual effects from a tropical storm in the Arabian Sea, along with northwesterly and easterly winds, as factors driving the current weather instability.
“Winter officially begins on December 21, but we are already seeing unstable weather patterns. Daytime clouds increase, while nighttime temperatures remain moderate,” Habib said, adding that the NCM continues cloud-seeding operations whenever suitable convective clouds are detected.
