UAE Interior Ministry Issues Weather Alert: Motorists Urged to Slow Down, Avoid Wadis
The UAE Ministry of Interior has called on residents to exercise caution as rain, thunderstorms, hail and strong winds are expected across parts of the country. The warning comes in anticipation of unsettled weather that could bring varying intensity of rainfall, thunder, lightning and hail, along with reduced visibility in some areas.
Safety Advice for Motorists and Residents
Motorists have been urged to reduce their speed, follow safety instructions and remain vigilant, especially in areas affected by adverse conditions. The ministry also advised people to stay away from wadis, where rainwater can flow rapidly, and to avoid areas prone to water accumulation. Residents were further warned not to go to sea or visit beaches during the unstable period.
Forecast Details from the National Centre of Meteorology
The alert follows a forecast from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) predicting a chance of rain across parts of the UAE on Wednesday, October 21, with winds potentially reaching 50 kilometres per hour. According to the NCM, conditions will be generally fair to partly cloudy, with a chance of convective cloud formation over eastern areas before extending to parts of the interior and western regions during the afternoon, accompanied by rainfall.
Winds are expected to be light to moderate, becoming fresh to strong at times with cloud activity and potentially raising dust. Southeasterly to northeasterly winds are forecast at speeds of 10 to 25 kilometres per hour, reaching 50 kilometres per hour at times.
Overnight and Temperature Outlook
Conditions are expected to turn humid overnight and into Thursday morning in some coastal and inland areas, with a possibility of light fog. Temperatures are forecast to reach 39 degrees Celsius in Dubai and Sharjah, 38 degrees Celsius in Abu Dhabi, 40 degrees Celsius in Al Ain and Liwa, and 33 degrees Celsius in Fujairah. Seas are expected to be slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, according to the NCM.
The Ministry of Interior stressed the importance of following official safety instructions and avoiding potentially hazardous areas during the period of unsettled weather.
