Dubai: The first rain showers of the season — albeit just a few drops — signalled the approaching winter has finally arrived in the city.
After a day which saw rain forecast but never arrive, Dubai residents awoke to overcast skies and light rain on Thursday morning.
Check the Gulf News 10-day weather forecast here
Varying volumes of rainfall were expected across the UAE on Thursday, ranging from light to heavy at times, especially along the coast and in the northern areas of the country, the national weather bureau said on Wednesday.
Dr Ahmad Habib, a forecaster at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology, told Gulf News that the chance of precipitation for rain throughout the UAE on Thursday was 70-75 per cent.
The likelihood of rainfall increases for those living and working along the UAE shoreline in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah and in mountainous areas in Fujairah, he said.
The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology posted on Twitter that Delma Island received light rain while some showers were felt in the Arzanah island at 6am. At 5am, Ras Al Khaimah witnessed light showers as well.
The weather bureau said at 7.19am that towering clouds associated with rain and fresh to strong winds have formed across the country that could cause poor visibility and rough sea.
The weather bureau’s website shows Friday’s forecast for Abu Dhabi city, Sharjah, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah to be partially cloudy with heavy rain. Jebel Jais and the islands Dalma, Kubra, and Abu Musa are expected to get light showers on Thursday.
And while rain had reached Dubai’s outskirts over the past few weeks, wet weather reaching the city itself proved a welcome sight for many.
Facebook user Mobin Kuriakose said: “Awesome weather. Rain rain rain Dubai.”
Twitter was also abuzz with rain posts of residents excited to witness their first rain of the season.
“Dubai’s first rain of the season weeeee!” said Twitter user Elif Sen.
User Dr Cool tweeted: “Dubai welcomes Gujarati New Year with rain.”
