Some areas in the Emirates will witness heavy rain
Rainfall is anticipated to occur in the eastern and northern regions of the UAE, including Dubai, on Christmas Day and throughout the weekend.
A surface low-pressure system from the southeast will affect the country from Monday to Saturday.
Prolonged low pressure system
Dr. Ahmed Habib, a climate expert at the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), stated in an interview on Monday that the UAE will be affected by a protracted low-pressure system that is moving in from the southeast and originates in the Arabian Sea. The system is expected to be in place from today until approximately Saturday noon.
He further elaborated on the cause of this weather shift, stating that "at the surface level, a substantial amount of water vapour from the Arabian Sea and Oman Sea will be directed toward our region." Concurrently, the region will be impacted by a frigid air mass in the upper layers and an upper-level low-pressure system.
Habib elucidated that this system will result in the formation of convective clouds, with a particular emphasis on the coastal, northern, and eastern regions of the UAE.
Heavy rain
"These clouds will produce a range of rainfall intensities, including occasional heavy rainfall in the mountainous regions of the north and east." The most substantial effect is anticipated to occur on Wednesday, December 25, and Thursday, December 26.
"In general, the skies will be partly cloudy to cloudy." He also mentioned that the regions with the highest likelihood of rainfall, particularly on December 25, include Fujairah, northern regions like Ras Al Khaimah, and portions of northern Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Temperature fluctuations
The seasoned weatherman also noted that the temperatures in the UAE will fluctuate significantly between day and night.
In these months, the average minimum temperature will be around 12°C, and the daytime maximum will be around 25°C.
"The temperatures will reach their highest point between 22°C and 27°C." In the interior regions of the UAE, temperatures will decrease to 6°C-12°C, while coastal regions will experience marginally higher temperatures.
Winter arrives
Also, Habib underscored that the UAE's winter season commences on December 21 and continues until mid-March. The season's maximum rainfall is typically observed in February.
Temperatures will decrease to a minimum of 23°C, while the sea will remain comfortably mild. The Gulf of Oman is typically marginally warmer than the Persian Gulf.
He stated, "The winter season has officially commenced in the country as of December 21." Cool air masses from Siberia and northern Europe are anticipated to cause an additional decrease in temperatures from late December to February. Although temperatures in the Gulf region will decrease, the northern regions of the Gulf, including northern Saudi Arabia , will experience exceptionally frigid temperatures.
The coldest month is typically January, although this is contingent upon a variety of atmospheric conditions and wind circulation. Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah and Rakhna in Al Ain are the harshest regions of the UAE. Habib also noted that Rakhna's substantial temperature fluctuations are a result of its distinctive topography and land characteristics.