The slightly colder start to April is expected to change over the next few days, the UAE's weather bureau has said.
Forecasters on Thursday said a gradual shift in wind patterns sweeping over the UAE will start to bring warmer weather.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said north-westerly winds coming from the northern Gulf have been keeping temperatures down but these will shift to south-westerly and south-easterly winds from Oman and the Gulf of Oman that would send the mercury higher.
"This year we had lower temperatures than are typical for this time," said a forecaster from the NCM.
"The air mass from the northern Gulf area still keeps it [relatively cool], especially at night and early morning as it is a little cooler in the north compared with the south right now."
The NCM has regularly been recording lows of around 10°C in the UAE since the start of April.
For example, on Thursday, a nationwide low of 9.2°C was noted at Mezaira in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Region. The previous day, the NCM recorded a low of 9°C in Raknah, Al Ain.
Temperatures have frequently dipped below freezing at Raknah during the depths of winter.
Highs of 35°C were expected in the UAE on Thursday with lows of 12°C in the mountains.
"But this start to April in the UAE has happened before and this year does not mark an extreme change," the forecaster said. "In the years before, we had similar weather and it depends on pressure systems in our areas.
"Weather systems at this time of year can bring cooler weather. But the temperature is gradually increasing here as summer approaches."
The NCM said this shift would develop gradually from Thursday.
Forecasters also cautioned there was a chance of rain over the next few days, especially in the east of the country. There is also a chance of fog overnight and into Friday morning that could cut visibility on the country's roads.
Looking ahead, the NCM said Saturday could bring cloudy weather and the possibility of rain again. Winds of up to 40kph could kick up dust clouds. The NCM said similar conditions were expected on Sunday.
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
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The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
