The UAE’s weather department issued an advisory on Tuesday night, forecasting an increase in cloud cover across the nation, with light to moderate rainfall expected to commence this Sunday. According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), a deepening upper-air trough is set to bring scattered showers accompanied by strong winds. The weather shift might also bring intervals of heavy downpours, complete with lightning and thunder, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures.
The Met Department cautions that while the rainfall is anticipated to subside by Tuesday evening, the period until then could see potential hazards. Strong winds, shifting from south-easterly to north-easterly, and eventually to northwesterly directions, are expected. These winds, ranging from moderate to fresh and possibly reaching strong gusts, could stir up dust and sand storms, significantly reducing visibility for motorists, who are urged to exercise caution.
Marine conditions are also forecasted to become turbulent. The Arabian Gulf is expected to face light to moderate waves, which may turn rough to very rough during periods of heavy cloud cover. Similarly, rough seas are anticipated in the Oman Sea, particularly in areas affected by convective clouds.
Prior reports by Khaleej Times hinted at the possibility of rain towards the end of March, and the forecast seems to align with these predictions. Coastal regions are expected to receive lighter rainfall amounts, ranging from 10mm to 40mm, while internal areas may see heavier precipitation, between 50mm and 80mm.
Specifically, Abu Dhabi is set to experience varying intensities of rainfall, with coastal areas receiving 10mm to 20mm and more internal locations getting 25mm to 50mm of total rain. Dubai and Sharjah, even in coastal areas, are forecast to receive a considerable amount of rainfall, tallying between 15mm and 50mm of total accumulated precipitation.
