In the UAE, winter seems to have arrived ahead of its official start date of December 21. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) reported a brisk 8.8°C in Al Ain’s Raknah area early on Friday morning, the lowest temperature of the season recorded at 6:45 am.
This cold spell isn’t isolated to Raknah. Over the past few days, temperatures throughout Al Ain have been lingering around 10°C to 11°C. Notably, on December 5, the mercury in the Raknah desert dipped below 10°C, signaling an early onset of winter-like conditions.
Raknah is familiar to many as it has been in the news in recent years. Located in a secluded part of Abu Dhabi’s Al Ain region, Raknah has become a popular spot for residents to don puffer jackets and play with ice during cold spells.
As the temperature already hovers at 8.8°C, there is anticipation about whether Raknah will transform into a snowy wonderland again this year.