UAE Weather: Heavy Rains and Hail Batter Country as Winter Arrives

Dubai: The UAE has been hit by a spell of unstable weather, with residents waking up to hail, heavy rains, and overcast skies across parts of the country. The eastern areas, including Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Khor Fakkan, have been worst affected, with flowing valleys and heavy showers reported since the early morning hours of Thursday, December 18.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has warned of continued unstable weather conditions, with different intensities of rainfall accompanied by lightning, thunder, and hail expected over limited areas in the country. The turbulent weather is expected to continue into Friday, December 19, with temperatures dipping to a low of 9.2°C in Jais Mountain.

In Ras Al Khaimah, the rainfall and strong winds have caused damage to warehouses and shops, leaving them broken and with their metal exterior strewn across roads. The emirate's city areas, including the corniche and Coral Island, have also experienced hail and heavy rains accompanied by strong gusts of wind.

The NCM has issued a yellow alert for rough conditions in the Sea of Oman, with wave heights expected to reach 6ft in depth, and active northwesterly winds reaching up to a speed of 40km/hr. Police authorities across the UAE have issued warnings to residents, motorists, and delivery drivers, advising them to stay away from beaches, valleys, and flood-prone areas, and to exercise caution while driving.

The UAE is expected to experience temperatures ranging between 19ºC and 28ºC in Abu Dhabi, 19ºC and 27ºC in Dubai, and 18ºC and 27ºC in Sharjah. The weather conditions are expected to intensify on Thursday, with thunderstorms expected to hit the region, according to BBC Weather.