Heat and rain: UAE to see contrasting weather

While the scorching sun beats down and mercury continues to soar across the country, rains have lashed certain parts of the UAE bringing respite to people.

Weather in the UAE will remain very hot on Sunday, the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) has said. The temperatures in the coastal region will touch 47 degrees Celsius. In internal and mountain regions, the mercury will hover around 50 degrees and 43 degrees respectively.

So, you will need an umbrella today... if not for rain, then for the harsh sun!

Despite the heat, some parts of the country will witness rainfall on Sunday, particularly the mountainous areas of the eastern areas, the NCMS added.

Fujairah saw an overcast sky on Sunday morning. Light showers were also reported from the area.

Of late, the weather has been windy. Squalls accompanied by sand and dust have been blowing for a couple of days now. Northeasterly and northwesterly winds will continue to sweep the country, the NCMS said.

Dr Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist at the NCMS, said that since July 7, there has been low pressure coming from the eastern and southeastern region of the UAE, causing blowing dust.

“This condition will continue on Sunday. The temperature will be hot to very hot. There are chances of cloud formation in the south and southeast regions of the UAE. Seas are rough - the Oman Sea and the Arabian Gulf,” he said.

The NCMS forecast for Sunday read: “Hot to very hot weather in general, hazy at times, with a chance of towering convective clouds formation over some eastern and southern areas by afternoon, may be associated with some rain fall at east. Light to moderate winds in general, freshening at times during daytime, causing blowing dust/sand especially at north.

“The relative humidity will increase during night and early morning over some coastal and internal areas, with a chance of mist/fog formation. Sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea.”

Similar weather conditions are forecast for Monday as well.

On Saturday, some parts of Al Ain continued to receive rainfall. The NCMS tweeted a video of “moderate” rains lashing Al Shuwaib area. Al Ain city also received “moderate” rains.

The NCMS also tweeted that Abu Dhabi’s Um Ghafa and Al Dahr, and the Dubai-Al Ain road received “light” rains.

On July 6, the NCMS said the Masafi area received “moderate to heavy rainfall” around 4pm due to towering clouds that formed in the area.

As Khaleej Times reported on Friday, the UAE is seeing rainfall in peak summer due to a combination of cloud seeding and natural weather phenomena.

According to a meteorologist at the NCMS, cloud seeding has successfully brought rains over the northeast side of Al Ain.

The showers are also a result of the towering cloud formation brought about by southeasterly fresh winds coming from the mountains of Oman and the UAE, combined with high humidity from the seas and the prevalent high temperatures.

Social media abuzz with rain news

UAE residents took to Twitter and Facebook to share their excitement about rains bringing much-needed respite.

A Twitter user, Mahra, tweeted: “Only in UAE... it’s 51 degrees and it’s going to rain.”

Another Twitter user, Fils d'ENGONG, tweeted: “Like every year, the rain is an event in UAE.”

Yet another Twiterati, Sameer, gave a ‘poetic’ twist to the welcome relief: “Rain Rain, come today, time and again, without you life is boring and plain.”

Tamimi Espinosa said on Facebook: “What’s with the rains? It’s very humid in the Arabian Peninsula -  that's a blessing to the deserts.”

Source: Khaleej Times