Towering clouds and scattered rain in UAE

Gulf News

Dubai, 11 April 2011: Towering clouds and scattered showers are expected on Monday, weather forecasters in UAE have warned. Poor visibility and rough seas have also been predicted, as the weather is likely to remain unsettled until Thursday.
According to forecasters at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), on Monday, the skies will be cloudy over most areas and the temperature will fall.

 

"Strong southwesterly winds are blowing across the country, bringing in moisture from the Arabian Sea. In addition to this a thrust of low pressure has developed over the upper level of the atmosphere,” the forecaster at NCMS said explaining the cause of the unsettled weather. “The amount of clouds will increase at times, with a chance of towering clouds and scattered rain,” the forecaster said.

 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasters predict cloudy weather in general, with a chance of rain in some areas. Poor visibility and rough seas are also expected. The NCMS has issued alert about the chances of heavy rain causing flooding of valleys in Al Ain and other areas close to the eastern coast.

 

 

Moderate winds will blow across the country, kicking up dust over open land areas. "This may reduce the horizontal visibility over some areas, especially in the western region.” The sea will be moderate in general, becoming rough at times, he said. Rain clouds have lined up over the sea from areas above neighbouring Gulf state Qatar all the way to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

 

In some parts, including Dubai, heavy rain accompanied by thunder is expected Monday evening. “This will be similar to the situation yesterday [Sunday] evening and will continue for a short period of time.” The UAE received 31mm of rain until 8am on Monday. Hail was reported in some areas in the eastern coast such as Masafi.

 

Officials cautioned residents and urged them to comply with weather warnings issued by the authorities. Residents are strongly advised against venturing into the sea as waves reached heights up to 6 feet. Motorists need to be vigilant too, officials said. The maximum wind speed recorded in Al Ain on Sunday was 67 knots, which is approximately 120 km/hr. However, on Monday until afternoon the wind speed has not gone that high.

 

 

Unstable weather brings rain in parts of UAE on Sunday

 

Rain fell in parts of the UAE on Sunday evening until early Monday morning, with forecasters saying the unstable weather is expected to continue until Wednesday. Rain fell over the areas between Masafi and Ojaili on Sunday. There were also showers over the Fujairah Airport, and in parts of Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the Western Region. Motorists reported flooding in parts of Dubai on Monday after rain fell overnight.

 

Forecasters said there is a chance of light to moderate rains in the coastal and northern areas in the next few days. Visibility is also expected to be affected by the windy and cloudy conditions in the country, according to forecasters. Forecasters attributed the unstable condition to cold air masses (low pressure) in the middle layer in the atmosphere in addition to the windy and cloudy conditions in the country.

 

The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) reported that temperatures are likely to fall and visibility will also be affected. Weathermen advised people to take extra auction due to low visibility and slippery roads as a result of rain and dusty winds.

 

Partly cloudy to cloudy condition is expected to continue to dominate much of the UAE until Wednesday, and hence it had warned people of different conditions in the three geographical locations.

 

Accidents

 

Two minor traffic accidents took place on Sunday evening. The first incident happened when three cars collided on the Emirates Road after Muhaisena Bridge towards Abu Dhabi. The second incident involved two cars on Al Quds Road. No one was injured in both accidents.