UAE | Environment
Thundering surprise for residents
Quick downpour in Abu Dhabi and other emirates brings down temperature.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Al Ain Bureau Chief
- Published: 08:12 November 16, 2008
- Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
- Roads were left wet and slippery for the early morning commute.
Al Ain: Thunderstorms hit Abu Dhabi, some parts of Dubai and other emirates on Sunday morning bringing temperatures further down.
The storm was due to a sudden depression that may occur again on Sunday and Monday, particularly in the coastal cities of the emirates, said the weathermen.
The brief spell of rain and cloud cover was quickly replaced by bright sunshine in most areas.
Khalid Hussain, an Abu Dhabi resident, said drizzle was started at around 7am when he was on his way to drop his children to school. "On my way back, heavy rains started lashing and waterlogged low-lying areas on the roads," he said.
Showers till Monday
Some isolated light rain was also reported from Dubai, while Al Ain remained cloudy and dry in the morning.
Dr S.K. Gupta, a senior meteorologist at Dubai Met Office, said the unsettled weather conditions might continue till Tuesday afternoon.
"A bad weather system has developed over the Arabian Gulf waters affecting the weather conditions in the UAE," he said.
He said the winter has set and weather conditions are expected to be cooler and pleasant in the next couple of months. The temperature is expected to remain between 25C and 30C in general with a few degrees variation in case of rain or wind change.
"We still expect some isolated rain in some areas due to the north westerly," he added. The sea will be rough with four to five feet high waves and sea travellers and fishermen must take precautions.
Dr Gupta said rain had also helped in a drop of some three degree Celsius in temperature. It was 28C around 12pm in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) in Abu Dhabi said the conditions will be partly cloudy in general, especially over coastal and northern areas in the next 24 hours.
Weather will remain mild and pleasant over mountainous and some inland areas. Winds will be moderate but they may gain speed kicking up sand in western and open areas.
The maximum temperature was 32C in Fujairah, 31C in Al Ain, 28C in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and some other cities. Relative humidity was, however, very high touching 90 per cent in coastal cities.
School run: Playful start
The morning shower brought cheer to pupils.
"I love the rain, but my mother wouldn't let me play outside", protested 8-year-old Adarsh Shahan. "Usually I get to see rain only when I go for vacation to India", he says.
Waiting for her school bus to show up in the morning is not a favourite thing for Aysha Rafiyudeen, who is in kindergarten. However, the prospect of showing off her rainbow coloured mini umbrella made her sprung up from her bed, says her mother.
The chitter-chatter at the school bus stops was louder than usual with "who owns the colourful umbrella" conversations.
- Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
Did you take any pictures of the rain? Click here to upload your photos to Gulf News
Your comments
I got up at 5.30am to go to work in Dubai. When I saw the rain and the wet roads. I immediately changed my mind and went back to sleep. I knew the roads would be chaotic today. Lucky for me I have remote access to my office.
From A Reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 16, 2008, 13:04
I do not mind the rain, however, I noticed that there is no proper drainage system here. They are not aware of when the rain is coming so that proper action would be taken to clear the roads. These drainage systems are supposed to lessen the water blockage, but it is making it worse. I saw many cars parked on the side of roads because of this morning?s rains.
Glenda
Manila,Philippines
Posted: November 16, 2008, 12:43
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