Puddles from the brief rainshowers gather on an art sculpture at the Manarat Al Saadiyat Park on Saadiyat Island on Wednesday. Victor Besa / The National.
Puddles from the brief rainshowers gather on an art sculpture at the Manarat Al Saadiyat Park on Saadiyat Island on Wednesday. Victor Besa / The National.
Light rain fell across Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
Light rain fell across Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
The rain pooled on the roads of Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
The rain pooled on the roads of Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
The aftermath of light rain on Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
The aftermath of light rain on Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National.
Rain clouds roll in across the mangroves along the E12 by Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Showers fell across the emirate. Victor Besa / The National.
Rain clouds roll in across the mangroves along the E12 by Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Showers fell across the emirate. Victor Besa / The National.
Thunder could also be heard across the city.
Thunder could also be heard across the city.
The winter has been milder than usual.
The winter has been milder than usual.
Cloudy weather along the E12, Saadiyat Island.
Cloudy weather along the E12, Saadiyat Island.
Forecasters said more rain could fall on Thursday and Friday along with dust clouds.
Forecasters said more rain could fall on Thursday and Friday along with dust clouds.
Rain clouds drift across the E12 motorway in Abu Dhabi.
Rain clouds drift across the E12 motorway in Abu Dhabi.
The past few months has seen prolonged bouts of sun.
The past few months has seen prolonged bouts of sun.
Conditions were hazy in Dubai, with the city yet to experience substantial rain. Antonie Robertson / The National
Conditions were hazy in Dubai, with the city yet to experience substantial rain. Antonie Robertson / The National
Forecasters had predicted rain by the weekend but it was unclear if the major coastal cities would be affected by major downpours. Antonie Robertson / The National.
Forecasters had predicted rain by the weekend but it was unclear if the major coastal cities would be affected by major downpours. Antonie Robertson / The National.
Hazy weather descends on Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National.
Hazy weather descends on Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National.
Dust clouds were also forecast for the UAE by the weekend.
Dust clouds were also forecast for the UAE by the weekend.
Al Kazim Towers on an overcast Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
Al Kazim Towers on an overcast Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
Clouds also drifted past Dubai Marina and JLT on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
Clouds also drifted past Dubai Marina and JLT on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National.

Environment

UAE weather: rain and sandstorms sweep across the country

Police urge drivers to be vigilant amid deteriorating conditions

The National

May 03, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Rain and sandstorms have swept across the UAE creating difficult conditions on the roads.

Abu Dhabi Police warned drivers to be extra vigilant because of dust clouds.

Videos posted to social media showed cars slowing to a crawl in Dubai because of poor visibility.

"Abu Dhabi Police urges drivers to be cautious due to low visibility during high winds and dust, and for your safety and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone," it said.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) cautioned that winds of up to 45kph could kick up dust clouds and reduce visibility.

It also warned of downpours until at least Wednesday, with the east particularly affected.

"[It will be] dusty and partly cloudy to cloudy, especially over the northern and eastern areas and extending to some internal areas, with some rainy convective clouds formation," the NCM said.

"Northwesterly winds, fresh to strong at times [will cause] blowing dust and sand, reducing the horizontal visibility."

The UAE's east coast has been chiefly affected by the torrential downpours. Videos posted to social media by the NCM showed rainwater surging through wadis, dams filling and motorists navigating flooded roads.

The country recorded major rainfall figures on Wednesday when downpours hit their peak.

At least 27.7mm of rain was recorded at a gauge in Dibba and 17.1mm fell in nearby Dhadna.

The UAE typically receives, on average, about 100mm of rain a year.

The wild weather came after a milder than usual winter, with long periods of sunshine.

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1921

1888

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Political Security Directorate
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Sama TV

Tomorrow 2021
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neill%20Blomkamp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Harbour%2C%20Orlando%20Bloom%2C%20Archie%20Madekwe%2C%20Darren%20Barnet%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
EMILY%20IN%20PARIS%3A%20SEASON%203
%3Cp%3ECreated%20by%3A%20Darren%20Star%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Lily%20Collins%2C%20Philippine%20Leroy-Beaulieu%2C%20Ashley%20Park%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202.75%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SQUADS

South Africa:
JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle (wkt), Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi

Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed

Fixtures
Oct 26: Bloemfontein
Oct 29: Potchefstroom

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Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press

UAEEnvironment