Forecasters expect more rain and drop in temperature

Al Ain: A further dip in temperature is likely on Monday as the unsettled weather is expected to result in more rain in different parts of the country.

The weather will be partly cloudy in general with an increase in cloud cover over the northern and eastern areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS). “Rain may fall, especially during the morning,” said the centre.

The temperature is likely to drop slightly in some areas and winds will be moderate to fresh over the sea. The sea will be rough to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, said the NCMS. The wind will decrease during night and early Tuesday morning, but humidity will increase, with a possibility of fog in some inland areas.

Light to moderate rain hit the country yesterday, creating adverse road conditions. The NCMS and police repeated their advice, asking people to exercise extra caution on wet and slippery roads as the unsettled weather is expected to continue.

The weather was cloudy and cold winter winds (Shamal) were blowing since Saturday night in the country, while scattered rain, steady in some areas, started early on Sunday morning in Dubai and Sharjah when people were getting ready for office and school. Traffic gridlock was reported at major roads in different cities.

Rainwater gathered in some streets and low-lying areas in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Quwain. Light scattered rain also hit downtown Al Ain at times, but it was heavier in Al Hayer and its neighbouring areas. Heavy rain was also reported in Fujairah, Hatta and Abu Dhabi.

“It’s lovely weather. I love to go on a long drive in such conditions with a thermos full of coffee,” said No’man Rashadi, an Al Ain resident. He said such pleasant, cloudy and rainy weather is a rare occurrence in the emirates.

P.T. Harikrishna, a resident of Dubai, said the weather is lovely. “But people must take extra care while driving,” he said. “Whenever it rains or it is foggy, my heart pounds with fear of mishaps on UAE streets,” he said. “This is unfortunate as it can be averted with just a little extra care,” he added.