Hot and humid long weekend ahead

Dubai/Al Ain: It will be quite uncomfortable over the long weekend with strong sea breezes from the north bringing in moisture and humidity inland, according to the Dubai met office.

The temperature for the next three days will range between 41C to 43C across the UAE, said Dr S.K. Gupta, duty forecaster.

The strong winds are concentrated in the northern Gulf region, near Qatar, at the moment with winds of 25 to 30 knots (about 55 kmp/h). The strong winds have made the sea rough, churning up waves of nine feet.

It will be hot, humid and partly cloudy over the holidays, with humidity at 80 per cent.

The comfort index will be six (quite uncomfortable). The index monitors temperature and humidity, and is graded from "comfortable" to "high stress." The more humid it is the more "uncomfortable."

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit Al Ain and its surrounding areas yesterday afternoon.

The rain was accompanied by strong winds that first kicked up sand and later blew away satellite dish antennae. Numerous trees, road signs and signs were broken.

The rain started at 4.45pm and lasted until 5.10pm in the downtown area. Rainwater also accumulated on different roads, forcing drivers to take extra care.

It was a welcome respite for residents who have been suffering from a heatwave which has hit the region for the past several weeks.

A meteorologist said the dust storm was caused by atmospheric low pressure that is currently moving over Oman and Saudi Arabia and also extending to the UAE.

He said Al Ain had earlier been recorded as the hottest city in the country, followed by Liwa where the maximum temperature was recorded as 47C (the ground level temperature was 50).

Meanwhile people in Ras Al Khaimah braved temperatures of 46C.

Over the last few days, the mercury has shot up and broken Al Ain's top temperature record. The temperature went up to 48C (ground level 52C) recently.