[WATCH] Extreme Weather Hits Dubai: Police Urge Residents to Exercise Caution

[WATCH] Extreme Weather Hits Dubai: Police Urge Residents to Exercise Caution

On Friday (August 23), the typical hot summer day turned into a rainy one, turned more disastrous when hail and a dust storm lashed throughout the UAE.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), heavy rain was observed over Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Nad Al Sheba and Al Warqa in Dubai, while moderate rain was experienced over Dubai-Al Ain and Khorfakkan-Sharjah roads and moderate to heavy lashed Falaj Al Mualla in Umm Al Quwain and Al Shiwayb area in Al Ain. There was also heavy rain and a downpour of pebble-sized hailstones followed in some parts of Dubai and the northern emirates.

[WATCH] Extreme Weather Hits Dubai: Police Urge Residents to Exercise Caution
Screengrab of a video posted by NCMS/Twitter

[VIDEO] Dust Storm, Hail Hit Dubai and Other Parts of UAE

Strong blasts of wind carried dust that caught many residents who went out to enjoy the weekend unaware and it also resulted in reduced visibility on the roads as authorities issued a warning to motorists, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.

Among those who were affected by the sudden shift in weather in the city was no other than Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who even posted an Instagram story of himself inside the car as the rain and dust storm swept parts of Dubai.

Temperatures on Friday hovered between 39 to 46 degrees Centigrade across the UAE. According to the NCM forecast, more rain is to be expected to hit some parts of the country over the weekend, while light to moderate southeasterly and northerly winds will cause blowing dust and sand during day time.

Commenting on the strange weather occurrences, meteorologists shared that the surface temperature is warm during the summer but the upper atmosphere is still cold enough to support ice, so the chances of hail during this season is not actually uncommon.

Of note, summer showers have been common in parts of UAE including Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain – but on Friday, hail hit only parts of Dubai.

In line with this, the police even issued a weather warning for motorists after several trees were uprooted along a Dubai-Sharjah road.

Weather patterns can be very unpredictable around this time of the year so it’s important to always be prepared and to exercise caution when going out or driving in the road.

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