The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been hit by heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds, affecting major cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and northern emirates, Gulf News reported on Friday.
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According to the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), unstable weather driven by a low-pressure system has brought repeated waves of rain, gusty winds, and lightning across the country. Residents reported flashes of lightning, booming thunder, and torrential downpours from Thursday night into Friday morning, while heavy rainfall caused streets to flood in some areas.
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In Sharjah, overflowing wadis temporarily disrupted traffic, with locals describing a dramatic display of storm clouds, electric streaks of lightning, and loud thunderclaps. Fujairah was among the hardest-hit regions. The NCM said convective clouds are expected to continue moving across Al Dhafra and the northern emirates throughout Friday, prolonging the adverse weather conditions.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has urged the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and stay away from unstable trees, billboards, and loose objects during strong winds.
Precipitation levels reached record highs in some locations. Shoukah in Ras Al Khaimah recorded 77.5mm of rain, the highest during this event, followed by Kalba in Sharjah with 65.8mm, and Umm Al Gaf in Ras Al Khaimah at 60.6mm. The Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, shared a striking visual of lightning over the Burj Al Arab.
Weather experts note that this intense storm system is unusual for the region. The Washington Post had earlier highlighted that a Tornado Alley-style system could impact the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf, bringing potential severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes.
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Authorities continue to monitor conditions and advise residents to take precautions as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to persist across the UAE.