Thunderstorms expected in UAE on Friday

Al Ain: A rain system has been heading towards UAE as weathermen expect isolated thunderstorms, rain, and gusty winds from Friday evening in different parts of the emirates.

The system will last for several days due to the cold winds coming in from the northwest directions, said a duty forecaster at the Met Office of Dubai International Airport. Gusty winds are also expected to kick off dust and sand in the open land areas thus reducing the horizontal visibility.

The rain clouds have been moving from over the Europe to the Mediterranean Sea to enter the Arabian Gulf. Rain and thunderstorms, associated with this system, are also hitting different parts of Iran and the western, central and northern areas of Pakistan.

”We expect isolated thunderstorm and rain in Dubai and other areas,” said the forecaster, adding that the clouds are expected to push in from Friday afternoon.

People planning outdoor parties, desert excursion trips, and pleasure sea rides during the weekend holidays need to be careful and pay attention to the expected bad weather in their planning.

The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) forecast partly cloudy condition over some areas but it did not forecast rain for Friday. The NCMS said conditions would be hazy and day time temperature will rise.

The conditions will linger own with an increase in the amount of clouds. There are chances of rain on Saturday over the northern areas and the UAE islands in the Arabian Sea, said the NCMS weather forecast for the next 48 hours.

Day temperature will also slightly decrease on Saturday, but winds will continue to blow dust and sand. Sea will be moderate to rough and horizontal visibility, especially in the morning, will low, said the forecast.

On Thursday, strong winds created problem for the people, particularly motorists on the highways, in Dubai and some other areas including Al Ain. They were blowing at a speed of 20 to 36 km/h but gain a gusty speed of 50 km/h at time over the sea and open lands. The sea was rough with four to six feet high waves that reached to eight feet at times.

The maximum temperature on Thursday recorded in Al Ain where mercury reached to 36 degree Celsius, followed by 35c in Abu Dhabi, 34c in Ajman, and 33c in Dubai and Sharjah. The maximum humidity level remained between 60 to 70 per cent in all the major cities, except Fujairah where it reached to 80 per cent at times.