Torrential rain lashes large parts of Abu Dhabi, Dubai in UAE

WEB DESK: The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirmed on Friday that a powerful low-pressure system has triggered “unstable conditions,” bringing repeated waves of torrential rain and gale-force winds.

Residents from Abu Dhabi to Dubai reported a dramatic “light-and-sound show” overnight, with frequent lightning strikes and booming thunderclaps illuminating the desert skies.

The severity of the system was highlighted by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who shared a striking visual of lightning arcing over the iconic Burj Al Arab.

Record rainfall and flooding

The impact has been most acute in the northern and eastern regions. Data from the NCM revealed that Shoukah in Ras Al Khaimah recorded the highest precipitation at 77.5mm, followed closely by Kalba in Sharjah with 65.8mm.

In Sharjah, the deluge caused wadis to overflow, sending torrents of water across roadways and temporarily bringing traffic to a standstill.

Fujairah has also been identified as one of the “hardest hit” areas, as convective clouds continue to dump sheets of rain over the Al Dhafra region and the northern emirates.

Emergency warnings and atmospheric anomalies

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has urged the public to exercise extreme caution, advising residents to stay indoors and avoid “billboards, unstable trees, and loose objects” caught in the gusting winds.

This intense weather front follows a rare warning from the Washington Post, which likened the current atmospheric setup to a “Tornado Alley-style” system a phenomenon virtually unheard of in the Middle East.

Experts warned that the system carries the potential for destructive hail and even isolated tornadoes, a significant shift from the region’s typical seasonal patterns.