Torrential rainfall and hailstones strike sectors within the United Arab Emirates, triggering an orange warning to be broadcasted.
The summer of 2023 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been marked by extreme heat and unpredictable weather patterns. This unusual weather has been evident in the form of record-breaking temperatures, as well as unseasonal rain and hail incidents, particularly in the eastern regions like Al Ain and Fujairah.
The National Center of Meterology (NCM) issued an orange alert, signifying a high level of weather alertness, due to the rainy weather conditions. The Abu Dhabi Police also sent out an alert urging drivers to exercise caution, reminding them to adhere to the variable speed limits displayed on signs and electronic guidance boards.
During this summer, temperatures reached new highs for August, with a scorching 51.8°C recorded in Sweihan, Al Ain, breaking a 9-year record for the month. This extreme heat was accompanied by low-pressure systems and moisture influx from the southeast, mainly from the Arabian Sea, which brought moist air toward the mountainous eastern regions of the UAE.
When this moist air hits the mountains, it rises, cools, and condenses to form convective clouds, leading to rainfall and occasionally storms during what is normally a very hot and dry period. These summer rains are associated with convective clouds due to intense daytime heating combined with moist air masses causing updrafts, making localized rain and hail possible in certain months like July and August.
Heavy rains were witnessed in various areas, including Sharjah roads, Abu Dhabi's Al Saadiyat Island, a culture and tourism hub, and even in Al Ain, where hail stones were seen falling from the sky. In some areas, the rain turned into hail later in the day. The hail stones were in the form of balls of ice.
Climate experts have pointed out that climate change and shifting atmospheric patterns like the Indian monsoon low pressure and Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) influence these weather anomalies, causing hotter temperatures and unexpected shower events in summer.
It is important to note that the met department's predictions about the rain were correct, as it rained in several areas on Thursday, including Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The NCM's orange alert indicates that while such weather events are unusual, they are not entirely unexpected given the current climate conditions.
As always, it is crucial for motorists to exercise caution during adverse weather conditions, adhering to speed limits and road safety guidelines to ensure a safe journey. While these unseasonal weather events can cause some inconvenience, they also serve as a reminder of the changing climate and the need for continued vigilance and adaptability.
- The weather news in summer 2023 has been dominated by extreme heat and unpredictable patterns, particularly in the eastern regions of the UAE.
- Science and environmental-science experts attribute these weather anomalies to climate change and shifting atmospheric patterns.
- As pictured in the weather reports, heavy rains and hail storms have been witnessed in various areas like Sharjah roads, Al Saadiyat Island, and Al Ain.
- In the realm of entertainment and culture, the unseasonal weather has affected tourism in places like Al Saadiyat Island, a hub for culture and tourism in the UAE.
