UAE weather alert: Dust storms and 47°C heat, chance of rainfall, and minor earthquake hits Oman

Dubai: The UAE is experiencing sweltering conditions today, with temperatures soaring and hazy skies prevailing. According to AccuWeather, Dubai will see hazy sunshine and very warm temperatures, peaking at 42°C, while overnight lows will drop to 32°C under clear to partly cloudy skies.

In Abu Dhabi, residents can expect mainly cloudy and very warm weather, with a high of 42°C and lower humidity levels. Tonight will bring clear to partly cloudy conditions, with temperatures falling only slightly to 33°C.

Dust alert issued by NCM

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a dust alert for much of the UAE, warning of fresh southeasterly winds reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h, which are expected to cause blowing dust and sand. Visibility may fall below 1,500 meters at times, particularly over internal and coastal areas, from 1:40pm until 7pm today.

The public is strongly advised to follow safety measures:

• Avoid direct exposure to dust

• Keep doors and windows closed

• Drive carefully and adhere to safety guidelines

• Monitor official weather reports from the NCM

• Refrain from sharing unverified weather information

Forecast: Chance of rain with cloud formation

The NCM also predicts partly to occasionally cloudy skies, with possible convective cloud formation in eastern and southern regions, potentially leading to rainfall.

Temperature ranges across the UAE today:

• Internal regions: 43°C to 47°C

• Coastal areas and islands: 40°C to 45°C

• Mountainous regions: 33°C to 36°C

Winds will be light to moderate, occasionally fresh to strong, especially near cloud activity, potentially contributing to blowing dust and reduced visibility. The Arabian Gulf will see slight to moderate sea conditions, while the Oman Sea remains slight.

Minor earthquake in Oman – No impact in UAE

In a separate update, the NCM reported a minor earthquake at 5:13am today in Madha, Oman, with a magnitude of 2.2 and a depth of 5 km. The tremor was not felt by UAE residents and poses no impact on the country.