United Arab Emirates

Parts of the UAE could receive rain from Monday through the end of the week, with showers potentially reaching inland areas of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said rainfall may at times be heavy, while convective clouds could also bring thunder, fresh winds and reduced visibility from blowing dust and sand.

Dr Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist at the NCM, told Khaleej Times on Monday that clouds are expected to form initially over the country’s eastern and northern areas before moving towards inland locations.

“We are expecting rainfall from Monday until the end of this week. There is a chance of convective cloud formation, starting in the eastern and northern parts of the country before extending to inland areas between Al Ain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and subsequently towards Al Dhafra,” Habib said.

Areas that may receive showers

The forecast includes inland parts of Dubai, including areas near Mirdif, as well as places along the Dubai-Al Ain and Abu Dhabi-Al Ain routes. Sweihan could also receive rain, along with parts of Al Dhafra, including Madinat Zayed and Zayed City.

Habib said the weather pattern is being influenced by an extension of a low-pressure system from the Arabian Sea and another low-pressure extension approaching from the southwest. These systems are adding moisture to the atmosphere, while updrafts are helping convective clouds develop over the eastern UAE before they spread inland.

Rainfall is expected to range from light to moderate, although some locations may see heavier showers. Thunder activity is possible where convective clouds form, according to the NCM meteorologist.

“Rainfall is expected to be light to moderate and may be heavy at times, with possible thunder activity associated with convective clouds. Fresh winds may also occur due to downdrafts from these clouds, potentially causing blowing dust and sand and reducing visibility, particularly in open areas,” Habib said.

The NCM has urged residents to take care when visibility worsens and to stay away from dangerous locations, particularly near mountainous areas. Habib also advised people to follow official weather updates, especially when travelling in open areas or close to the mountains.

Temperatures continue gradual autumn decline

The expected rain is not forecast to bring an immediate major shift in temperatures, Habib said, as the same air mass is likely to remain over the UAE. Cloud cover, however, may cause local differences in temperature.

Temperatures have already been easing as autumn advances. Between late September and the first week of October, readings fell by about 4°C to 5°C, according to Habib. Maximum temperatures are declining gradually, as are overnight and early-morning readings.

Some monitoring stations in inland and mountainous areas have recorded temperatures of 20°C or below. Habib said temperatures should continue their gradual decline, although this year’s readings have been marginally above the average for this point in the season, with no significant difference.

Rapid changes possible during autumn

Habib described the unsettled pattern as typical of autumn in the UAE, a transitional period during which conditions can shift quickly between stable and unstable weather. Daytime conditions may become relatively unstable, while humidity tends to rise overnight, particularly in coastal areas. Localised fog may also form.

The NCM is monitoring developments around the clock through weather radar, satellite images and observations from its monitoring stations, Habib said.