Winter, which officially begins in the UAE on December 23, has arrived a little earlier this year.
The temperature in one area of the Emirates plunged to just 9°C on Monday morning.
The chilly low was recorded by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) in Raknah near Al Ain at 6.45am on Monday.
Raknah is in a wadi, or valley, which affects the temperature, often making it cooler there than in the mountains.
“The cold air comes down and stops there, cooling gradually from night to early morning,” a forecaster at NCM told The National.
Temperatures have been falling gradually for weeks, to between the high 20s and low 30s during the day.
On Monday, a pleasant 27°C temperature was recorded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The rest of the week will be similar, with mostly sunny skies and a chance of light rain over some northern and eastern areas on Tuesday.
Humidity will rise overnight on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night this week, raising the risk of fog and mist over some parts.
Temperatures are predicted to bump along at around the same level for the coming weeks.
According to a long-range forecast on Accuweather, the temperature in Abu Dhabi will fall to the mid-20s later in December, during the Christmas weekend. Temperatures will be similar in Dubai for the rest of the month, with mostly sunny skies.
But, as this week’s weather shows, the colder months coincide with fog season, which begins around mid-December and runs until the end of March, aided by clear skies and calm conditions.
The UAE has already seen regular fog in recent days and weeks, and more is expected over the coming months. January and February can be particularly foggy.
The Emirates has averaged 132 days of fog formation a year since records began in 2006, with the longest stretch recorded in 2010, when there were 17 days of fog and five days of mist in January.
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Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,200 metres
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5.30pm: UAE Arabian Derby (PA) | Prestige | Dh150,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Octave, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round 3 (PA) | Group 3 Dh300,000 | 2,200m
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6.30pm: Emirates Championship (PA) | Group 1 | Dh1million | 2,200m
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7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (TB) | Group 3 | Dh380,000 | 2,200m
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7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) | Conditions | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
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World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
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9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
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The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Banned items
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Drones
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Animals
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Fireworks/ flares
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Radios or power banks
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Laser pointers
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Glass
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Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
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Sharp objects
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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Key facilities
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The specs
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Launched: 2016
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Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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The%20Beekeeper
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Three stars
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Scores
Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand