Autumn rain: Heavy showers in Dubai, Sharjah and UAQ
NCM ADVISES PEOPLE TO STAY AWAY FROM AREAS PRONE TO FLASH FLOODS
It’s the perfect autumn weather to sit back and enjoy a cup of karak with crispy regag, in the UAE — rain, thunder and a cool breeze. Heavy rain and thunder hit parts of Dubai, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain, yesterday. It is expected to continue today.
Earlier yesterday, the National Centre of Meterology (NCM) issued yellow and orange alerts indicating convective clouds, essentially clouds that look like cotton balls piled over each other, over northern and eastern parts of the country, until 11pm.
Starting as cumulus clouds, they build momentum rising up, becoming fatter and taller, eventually turning to a thunderstorm. A key reason why the Met office monitors convective cloud formations over the UAE to dispatch cloud seeding flights to maximise rainfall over the country.
Heavy rain by 2pm
Residents noticed overcast skies across the country by 12 noon. By 2pm, heavy to moderate rainfall was reported in Deira, Al Aweer, Nad Al Sheba, Al Khawneej, and Dubai Academic City in Dubai.
There was heavy rain over Al Dhaid-Sharjah road. The Sharjah International Airport, Al Muweilah, Al Batayih, Al Seyouh and surrounding areas received heavy downpours.
Light rain was also recorded in Al Ain, as clouds moved further into the country.
In a safety alert, the NCM advised people to stay away from areas prone to flash floods and landslides such as wadis.
Explaining the current weather conditions, the NCM said: “The country is affected by a surface low pressure system extending from the southeast accompanied with humid southeasterly and northeasterly winds. An upper air low pressure system from the west combined with cold air mass is bringing clouds from the west towards the country.”
Cloudy weather is expected today, too. According to the NCM: “[The weather will be] partly cloudy to cloudy, with some convective clouds, especially eastward and northward extending over some internal and coastal areas, associated with rainfall.”
Moderate winds today
Light to moderate winds are expected to become strong at times. Avoid beach trips as the sea will become rough at times in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea, depending on the movement of the clouds.
So, don’t forget to pack your umbrellas as you step out for the day ... there’s something in the rain!