More rain and strong winds through the weekend

DUBAI // Residents woke up to a damp and windy morning on Friday as rain showers soaked much of the country, with forecasters warning that the unsettled weather was due to persist until at least Monday. “This unstable weather is normal at this time of year as we transition into the summer,” said a forecaster at the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology in Abu Dhabi.

“We will see more of the same tomorrow with internal and southern areas more affected by the rain.”

The wet and windy weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of those taking part Creat-ING Off The Wall outdoor art and music festival in Jumeirah Lakes Towers on Friday.

However, the organsisers had to get creative to work around the elements. The live band’s equipment was shifted underneath some cover as steady drizzle made it too wet to perform outside.

“We were obviously hoping for better weather but we’re making the best of it,” said Ramy Alawssy, founder of the -ING – a community art collective in Dubai.

“The event is about getting more of the public in Dubai involved and aware of art within their community,” he said.

More people braved the weather once the band began to play.

Forecasters said northwesterly winds of up to 70kph are expected today along the coast that will cause the sea in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea to be rough to very rough.

The fresh weather is also lowering temperatures with lows of 15°C along the coast and dropping to 12°C in internal areas.

Overall temperatures will range between 25°C and 30°C during the day.

More scattered rain is expected on Saturday along with increased cloud cover during the day

“Cloud amount will gradually decrease by evening over most areas,” said the forecast.

However high winds will continue to result in the waters in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea being rough to very rough.

Although similar conditions will persist into Sunday the relative humidity is expected to increase at night in the morning.

nhanif@thenational.ae​