UAE weather: chilly after night of thunder and lightning

The UAE woke to clearer skies this morning after dramatic storms hit the emirates overnight.

Heavy rain lashed Abu Dhabi and Dubai with thunder and lightning before midnight.

Strong winds and possible rainfall are expected again today, although it will feel much cooler than yesterday when temperatures reached 35°C during the afternoon amid a backdrop of dusty skies.

Forecasters said temperatures will drop to lows of 15°C in Abu Dhabi and 16°C in Dubai and Sharjah, with highs of around 25°C. On Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain, it will be a chilly 6°C.

The inclement weather led the Ministry of Interior to issue a video warning people in rural areas of the country to stay away from places that could become treacherous during heavy rain.

Sections of an old six-storey residential building in Ras Al Khaimah broke off in chunks, prompting an evacuation, after it rained.

Yesterday's sandstorm "was not unusual", according to a spokesperson from the National Centre of Meteorology.

“We are still in the winter season and wherever there is wind, there is dust.”

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He said the wet conditions will become more infrequent over the next month as summer approaches.

North-westerly winds of up to 50kph will whip up dust and reduce visibility, and cause waves to surge from 1.5 to 2.1 metres on the east coast in the Sea of Oman.

The strong winds are expected to continue until the weekend.

Police on Sunday advised motorists to reduce their speed and reminded them to leave a safe distance between vehicles.

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Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.

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Tips to stay safe during hot weather

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.