Dubai: Residents of the city have welcomed the light rainfall and the subsequent drop in temperatures, saying the weather conditions are perfect for outdoor excursions or quality time with the family indoors.

As rain of varying intensities fell over some parts of the UAE on Saturday, weather forecasters said that there was a good chance of continued rainfall with the clouds amassing over scattered areas.

Mohammad Mazen, a Dubai-based accountant, said the drop in temperature coincides well with upcoming New Year’s eve celebrations.

“Most people have planned to celebrate outdoors, my friends and I have decided to head to the desert for New Year’s eve” he said, “As long as it doesn’t rain vigorously on that night, I’ll think most would enjoy these cooler winds. I’d imagine there’d be some who prefer warmer temperatures. I like layering up and wearing jackets. As I was born and raised in the UAE, these cooler days won’t go unappreciated.”

Leen Al Shami, a graphic designer at a Dubai-based company, said she’d prefer to spend these cooler days at home with her family. “I just want to relax in the backyard of our home with a good book and a hot drink,” she said, “I’d like to be around family, to dine with them outdoors if it isn’t raining. This cool weather, coinciding with the holidays, really just makes me want to be with my family.”

An official at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) said clouds will amass over some areas, with a continued chance of rainfall.

“We will also be experiencing a fall in temperatures,” he said, “There will be moderate to fresh winds in general, especially over the sea, causing blowing dust and haze over exposed areas.”

As visibility may be impaired at times, drivers are advised to keep caution. Average temperature along the coastal areas will each highs of 24 degrees Celsius and lows of up to 16 degrees Celsius. Internal areas will have temperatures ranging from highs of 22 degrees Celsius to lows of 11 degrees Celsius. Mountainous areas will have highs ranging between 12 and 19 degrees and lows of eight degrees.

Humidity levels along coastal areas will reach highs of 65 to 90 per cent and lows of 25 to 50 per cent. “The relative humidity will increase during the night and early morning over some internal areas,” the NCMS officials said. “There’s also a chance of mist and fog forming over westwards.”