The UAE has issued a fresh weather alert, with rain, thunderstorms and the possibility of hail expected across parts of the country over the coming days, as authorities step up preparations for unstable conditions.

According to the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), authorities are taking a proactive approach to the changing conditions.

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In a recent update, it said preparations are underway “within the framework of proactive preparations for the potential impacts on the country”.

It also noted that weather developments are being continuously monitored, alongside the activation of continuity plans where needed.

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The latest forecast points to unsettled conditions across parts of the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with rainfall of varying intensity, possible thunderstorms and the chance of hail in some areas.

In Dubai, the forecast from Saturday, March 21 through to Friday, March 27 indicates a mainly cloudy and unsettled stretch, with daytime temperatures ranging between 26°C and 30°C and overnight lows between 20°C and 22°C. Thunderstorms are expected in parts of the emirate on several days during the week.

In Abu Dhabi, temperatures are set to range from 27°C to 30°C during the day, with lows between 21°C and 23°C. The capital is also expected to experience cloudy conditions and thunderstorms on multiple days over the coming week.

Authorities have warned residents to expect rainfall of varying intensity, a chance of hail in some areas, and stronger winds that could lead to blowing dust and reduced visibility.

The unstable spell is expected to continue through much of the week, before clearer and sunnier conditions return towards next weekend.

Residents are advised to monitor official weather updates and exercise caution on the roads during periods of rain, thunder and reduced visibility.

Oil prices eased on Friday while bonds nursed losses after global central bankers warned of inflation risks stemming from the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has sent markets into a tailspin.

Following a hectic week of monetary policy meetings across much of the Group of Seven (G7) and beyond, the key takeaway for investors has been the prospect of a more aggressive policy path.

Traders are no longer expecting a Federal Reserve rate cut this year. A hike from the Bank of England next month is seen as a close call, while sources said the European Central Bank may need to begin discussing rate increases in April and could tighten policy in June.

“There’s a lot of value in the signal,” said Vishnu Varathan, Mizuho’s head of macro research for Asia ex-Japan, referring to the hawkish rhetoric from central banks this week.

“It’s a message to markets that we are on top of this. You do not need to push yields unnecessarily higher because the yields are already starting to do the work for them.”

A rout in global bonds pushed yields to multi-month highs on Thursday, although the sell-off eased in Asia on Friday.

Trading in cash US Treasuries was closed due to a holiday in Japan, but futures edged marginally higher.

The yield on the two-year US Treasury note, which typically reflects near-term rate expectations, had jumped by more than 20 basis points in the previous session.

“Probably every day that goes by without an end to the war, or clear positive steps, increases the chances of that more adverse scenario for the bond market,” Thomas Mathews, head of markets for Asia-Pacific at Capital Economics, said of the possibility of rate hikes from major central banks by year-end.

So far this month, Germany’s two-year yield has risen by around 56 basis points, while yields on two-year British gilts have jumped 88 basis points.

Energy chokepoint

Brent crude futures were down 3 per cent at $105.43 a barrel on Friday, while U.S. crude fell 2.2 per cent to $94 a barrel, after leading European nations and Japan offered to join efforts to secure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. outlined moves to boost oil supply.

Still, both remained well above levels seen before the US-Israeli war on Iran, having risen by more than 40 per cent this month.

Natural gas prices have also soared, with those in Europe surging by as much as 35 per cent on Thursday, as Iranian and Israeli strikes targeted some of the Middle East’s most important gas infrastructure.

That prompted US President Donald Trump to tell Israel not to repeat its attacks on Iranian natural gas infrastructure.

“Even if the US leaves the conflict, Israel might not, and there may still be some strikes, with Iran retaliating, perhaps at a lower intensity,” said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Natixis.

“But this means that the Gulf will still be under pressure, so oil prices will not go back to $60. They may stay at $90, at least until the end of the year. So the shock is already unavoidable.”

Shares steady, dollar falls

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.18 per cent and was set for a weekly gain of roughly 0.7 per cent, snapping two straight weeks of losses.

The retreat in oil prices on Friday helped stabilise market sentiment, although moves remained volatile.

Nasdaq futures rose 0.3 per cent, while S&P 500 futures advanced 0.37 per cent, after both closed lower in the overnight cash session. EUROSTOXX 50 futures were up 0.87 per cent, while DAX futures jumped 0.8 per cent.

The dollar was meanwhile set for a weekly loss of more than 1 per cent, as investors priced in steeper rate hikes from other central banks this year compared with the Fed.

The euro last bought $1.1570, having jumped 1.2 per cent on Thursday, while sterling was steady at $1.3424 after a 1.3 per cent rise overnight.

Even the yen, which was close to 160 per dollar in the previous session, found some reprieve and last stood at 157.85.

The Japanese currency was also supported by hawkish comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda on Thursday, after the central bank held rates steady but maintained its bias towards tighter monetary policy.

Yusuke Miyairi, Nomura’s JPY FX and rates strategist, said that while Ueda may have left the door open to a rate hike in April, it remained “premature” to conclude that such a move was imminent.

Elsewhere, spot gold was up 0.8 per cent at $4,686.97 an ounce.

Riyadh has announced extended public transport schedules for the Eid Al-Fitr holidays, aiming to ease congestion and improve mobility as travel demand rises across the capital.

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City said the move is designed to facilitate smoother movement for both residents and visitors during one of the busiest periods of the year, a Saudi Gazette report said.

Read more-Riyadh Metro extension: Five new stations announced

The Riyadh Metro will operate from March 20 to 23, running daily from 11:00 a.m. until midnight, ensuring consistent service throughout the holiday. Meanwhile, Riyadh bus services will begin operations on March 20 from 6:30am until midnight.

From March 21 to 23, bus services will start earlier at 5:00 a.m. and continue until midnight, offering extended accessibility during peak travel times.

Flexible options for commuters

The on-demand bus service will also be available from March 20 to 23, operating from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m., providing added flexibility for users.

“The adjusted schedules are part of ongoing efforts to enhance mobility, ensure smooth transportation, and support increased movement,” the authority said.

ADNOC managing director and group CEO, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, has warned that energy infrastructure should never be targeted, saying attacks on civilian facilities risk undermining both regional stability and the wider global economy.

In a LinkedIn post published on Thursday, Al Jaber said critical energy infrastructure across the region had come under attack, describing the facilities as civilian sites operated by civilian engineers and essential to economies and daily life well beyond the Gulf.

Read more: UAE condemns Iran attack on Habshan gas facility and Bab field

“These are civilian facilities, operated by civilian engineers, sustaining economies and everyday life far beyond our region,” he said.

Al Jaber said attacks on energy systems were not only a regional concern, but one with international economic consequences.

“The reality is simple: energy security is global economic stability,” he said. “When energy systems are targeted, the consequences are felt by our teams on the front line, by communities here in the Emirates, and by households and economies around the world.”

He described the wider attacks on energy infrastructure as “unjustified, unprovoked and illegal”, adding that “energy flows are being weaponised”.

His comments come as tensions across Gulf energy markets have intensified, prompting renewed focus on the risks facing critical oil and gas infrastructure in the region.

Al Jaber said the UAE’s position, shared more broadly across the international community, was that attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure must stop.

“We must de-escalate, restore stability, and ensure energy continues to flow safely to the world,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned Iran’s attacks targeting the Habshan gas facility and the Bab field in Abu Dhabi, after the country’s air defences intercepted the strike with no injuries reported.

Dubai has announced the activation of a “Green Corridor” between ports in the Sultanate of Oman and the emirate to facilitate the movement of sea and air cargo shipments.

In a post on X, Dubai Customs said the initiative has been launched in cooperation with the General Directorate of Customs and is aimed at enhancing trade flows and supporting supply chains between the two countries.

According to the authority, the corridor enables the transfer of shipments that are routed through Omani ports to Dubai via a streamlined and approved route, simplifying the overall movement process.

In the first stage, transit declarations are submitted in Oman under fast-track customs procedures before shipments are routed through the designated corridor.

During transit, containers are sealed by the shipping agent, with shipment integrity maintained and verified across ports until arrival in Dubai.

Upon reaching the Hatta border crossing, cargo documentation—including the manifest and bill of lading—is submitted, after which shipments proceed to customs clearance at relevant centres in Dubai.

Dubai Customs said the initiative is part of efforts to enhance the efficiency of cross-border logistics and facilitate smoother cargo movement between Oman and Dubai.