Abu Dhabi: Tropical storm Mekunu's status has been raised to Cyclone Category 1 over latitude 11.4 degree North and longitude 55.9 degree East. The centre of the cyclone is located approximately 570km from Salalah and 230km from Socotra. The wind speed around the centre of the cyclone is between 120km/h amd 139km/h. It is moving toward the north-north west with a speed 11km/h.
What are the expected effects on the UAE? A medium range forecast from Numerical Weather Prediction shows no direct effects caused by the cyclone in the UAE. However, indirect effects expected is continuous moist air mass, which will enhance the chance of convective developments at times over the Eastern and Southern regions over the UAE.
The National Center of Meteorology is observing the weather condition and will apprise the public of the cyclone situation.
The National Center of Meteorology has requested that Emiratis and residents of the UAE keep following the updates, reports, forecasts issued by The National Center of Meteorology only, and never handle fake news.
Earlier in the day, on Wednesday, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said there will be no landfall of Cyclone Mekunu in the UAE.
Refuting reports that tropical storm that is strengthening in the southwest Arabian Sea will hit Dubai, the weather bureau reiterated that the path of the cyclone is still towards Oman and Yemen.
“There is no direct impact seen on the UAE,” said Mohammad Al Alebri, director of Metoerology Department at NCM said around 5pm on Wednesday.
He said the cyclone was expected to change its category from one to two in the next 36 hours.
“On Friday night it will have landfall on the coast of Oman and the core of the cyclone will reach the land with heavy rainfall by early morning on Saturday.”
Once it is cut off from the sea, its source of power, the cyclone will slowly weaken and gradually dissipate.
“It won’t reach the UAE. However, there will be plenty of water vapor in the atmosphere.”
High temperatures in mountains will trigger more clouds over the eastern and southern parts of the UAE.
“That will cause thunderstorm clouds over eastern and southern areas of the UAE on Saturday, and on Sunday it will be associated with scattered rainfall in eastern parts along the mountains. But as for the cyclone, there will be no direct impact.”
The NCM spokesperson said the centre is continuously monitoring the situation and issuing regular updates on its website and social media channels.
The weather department urged residents to refrain from spreading rumours and reports that are not verified by NCM, the authorised entity to issue weather related reports and alerts in the country.
