UAE weather: Heavy rains lash Dubai, other emirates

Dubai was hit by rain showers accompanied by lightning and occasional thunder on Thursday night and Friday morning.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), Dubai and other emirates can expect rain, active and strong winds, “stirring up dust and dust, reaching a speed of 45 km/h, and a rough sea, from Thursday, November 16 to Friday November 17”.

Earlier the country’s weather bureau issued a four-day rain alert (for November 15-18) with rains, lightning and thunder expected over the country’s east, north and coastal areas.

Rainy weather is expected over Friday and Saturday

According to NCM, moderate rain is expected in Dubai on Friday morning, with moderate to heavy rain expected in Fujairah. Light to moderate rain is expected in Sharjah and Ajman. Heavy rain is expected in Kalba in Sharjah and over the northern region of Ras Al Khaimah. The emirate is expected to receive moderate to heavy rain.

Light to moderate rain is expected in some areas of Abu Dhabi.

Partly cloudy weather, with potential rain showers across the northern and eastern parts of the country and coastal areas, is expected on Saturday, November 18.

According to the NCM, the weather is expected to clear on Sunday with the possibility of showers in eastern parts of the country.

Temperatures are expected to drop across the Emirates.

Ministry calls on the private sector to apply flexible working

The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation called on private companies to apply flexible working on Friday, November 17 in light of the weather conditions.

The Ministry calls on private sector companies across the UAE to apply flexible work patterns tomorrow, 17th November, given the current weather conditions.

“Necessary measures need to be taken by companies to ensure outdoor work, which is necessary to resume, complies with the…

— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) November 16, 2023

Authorities in Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain have also directed schools to move to distance learning on Friday, November 17, due to weather conditions.

Motorists should exercise caution

Abu Dhabi Police issued an alert on X (formerly Twitter) asking motorists to be careful in light of the rainy weather and follow the changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards.

#Urgent | #Attention
Abu Dhabi Police call on motorists to exercise caution due to the rainy weather and to follow the changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards. Drive Safely. pic.twitter.com/Z5wTjmE3lD

— شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) November 16, 2023

Dubai Police has also issued an advisory for drivers.

Stay safe on the road during rainy weather by following these safety guidelines. Make road safety your top priority with these traffic tips. pic.twitter.com/Wj8Hvg9k3t

— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) November 17, 2023

According to recent updates by Dubai’s RTA on X (formerly Twitter), the authority is also working with Dubai Municipality and Dubai Police to clear traffic flow in some areas.

#هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات تبذل جهودها للتعامل مع تأثير الأمطار في #دبي وفق أفضل الإمكانيات بالمشاركة مع #شرطة_دبي و#بلدية_دبي وشركة نخيل لإزالة تجمعات الأمطار وإعادة الحركة المرورية على الطرق.@DubaiPoliceHQ @DMunicipality @NakheelOfficial pic.twitter.com/JZFmxb4wjZ

— RTA (@rta_dubai) November 17, 2023