Highest rain levels recorded in UAE since records began in 1949

Storms that lashed the UAE on Tuesday brought with them the highest ever levels of rain recorded over a 24 hour period in the country since the beginning of its climate data records in 1949.

“The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) announced that the UAE witnessed the largest amounts of rainfall during the past 75 years, and that the ‘Khatm al-Shakla’ area in Al Ain witnessed 254.8 mm of precipitation in less than 24 hours,” read a tweet from the official X account of the UAE Media Office.

أعلن المركز الوطني للأرصاد أن دولة الإمارات شهدت هطول أكبر كميات أمطار خلال الأعوام الـ 75 الماضية، وأن منطقة “خطم الشكلة” بالعين شهدت هطول 254.8 ملم في أقل من 24 ساعة… لتحقق الدولة بذلك حدثاً استثنائياً يسجل في تاريخها المناخي. pic.twitter.com/Iir6ZS2Dzs

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) April 16, 2024

The tweet went further to describe the inclement weather as an “exceptional event” recorded in the UAE’s climatic history.

Flooding and disruption

Large storms, buoyed by a low pressure cell, swept into the UAE on Tuesday, sparking off widespread flooding on roads in cities such as Dubai. On a drive from Dubai’s Media City to Town Square on Tuesday afternoon, Gulf Business witnessed several cars getting stuck in flooded areas. 

This was despite lower-than-normal traffic amid many residents opting to work from home.

Authorities on Tuesday afternoon also announced a second day of school closures, while citizens and residents have been advised to stay home as roads are cleared. NCM also issued a red alert for several areas in the UAE on Tuesday. 

Weather forecasts indicate that conditions should start to clear from Wednesday afternoon, after which higher springtime temperatures will set in.