Dubai: Parts of the UAE welcomed the first rain of 2023. UAE residents reported of light showers in Al Khail, Dubai Investments Park in Dubai. The Met office also shared updates of light rain over Abu Dhabi island, Al Shawamekh in Abu Dhabi, and the Dubai International Airport.
Overcast skies are expected in many parts of the UAE, with a chance of light rainfall, according to the weather forecast for today, issued by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM).
Speaking to Gulf News, a senior NCM meteorologist said: "Today, the rainy clouds started from the northern coastal areas. Most of the rain reported today was light rainfall, only some areas received moderate rainfall.
"Partly cloudy to cloudy weather is expected until Thursday, with a chance of light rainfall at times, especially in the northern coastal areas, including Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah. This might extend over to some eastern parts by Thursday," he added.
Explaining the weather situation over the country, the NCM forecast for today said that the UAE is experiencing an "extension of a surface low pressure system from the East and a surface high pressure system from the west, accompanied by an extension of an upper air high pressure system."
The lowest temperature recorded today was 6.4°C.
The Ministry of Interior (@moiuae) issued a safety alert on their social media channels. "Due to the unstable weather conditions, the Ministry of Interior calls on drivers to be cautious while driving," the alert on Instagram read.
Low temperatures and cloudy weather at times in January
In a climate summary issued for this month, the NCM said: "The month of January is characterised by a drop in temperatures where the weather is cool during daytime and cold during the night, due to extension of ridge of high pressure system building over Siberia associated with a cold air mass that affects the country and the Arabian Peninsula in general."
January usually sees mean air temperatures ranging between 16.4°C to 20°C. The mean maximum air temperature ranging between 21.3°C to 25.7°C.
Some days of the month will also see rainfall, the summary added. "Additionally, during this month, the region is affected by a succession of low pressure systems that pass from West to East, and the country is affected by the extension of the red sea trough at times. Sometimes those pressure systems associated by upper air troughs lead to cloud developments over the country in some days of the month with rainfall," according to the Met office.
"The country also experiences strong Northwesterly winds (Shamal) during this month, which cause blowing sand and dust over inland areas especially the exposed areas. These winds lead to rough sea with an increase wave height.
"Relative humidity increases especially in the early morning, which enhance chances of Fog / Mist formation, the frequency of fog or mist increases more over inlands as compared to coastal areas," the climate summary said.
