Heavy hail blanketed parts of the sand dunes in Dubai’s Margham area in white on Sunday, October 18. At the same time, moderate to heavy rain swept across parts of the eastern UAE, prompting the National Centre of Meteorology to issue yellow and orange alerts over continued unstable weather. The centre forecasts a chance of rain in parts of the UAE until Thursday, October 22.

According to Khaleej Times, videos shared by Storm Centre showed heavy hail leaving a white layer of ice pellets across the dunes in Margham, a popular desert safari destination on the outskirts of Dubai.

Other footage posted by the same account on X showed moderate to heavy rain along Khor Fakkan Road and in the Al Ajili area, east of Shawka. One video also showed several donkeys grazing on a mountainside in the rain.

The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology issued yellow and orange alerts on Sunday for parts of the country’s eastern and western regions due to the formation of convective clouds and the possibility of rain. The alerts were valid until 7pm UAE time.

Under the UAE’s weather warning system, a yellow alert means residents should remain vigilant and exercise caution during outdoor activities, while an orange alert indicates the possibility of hazardous weather and urges the public to be prepared and follow instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

Several Days of Rain and Hail Across the UAE

Sunday’s rainfall came amid a spell of unstable weather in recent days. On Thursday, October 15, heavy rain and hail swept through parts of Sharjah and Al Ain, with published footage showing hailstones accumulating on roads and in desert areas.

On Friday, October 16, light hail was also reported east of Shawkah and in the Masfout area, while heavy rain affected parts of Al Ain.

The conditions continued on Saturday, October 17. According to data from the National Centre of Meteorology, Al Saa in Al Ain recorded 7.8mm of rain in just one hour, between 4pm and 5pm. Malaqit and Umm Ghafa also experienced moderate to heavy rainfall.

Rainfall Forecast to Continue Through Thursday

According to the UAE National Centre of Meteorology’s latest five-day forecast, rain remains possible in parts of the country through Thursday, October 22.

From Monday, October 19, to Wednesday, October 21, rain-bearing clouds may initially form over eastern areas in the afternoon before extending to parts of the interior and western regions.

Rain-bearing clouds and scattered rainfall are also forecast over western parts of the country on Thursday.

The National Centre of Meteorology also said wind speeds could reach 50 kilometres per hour in some areas through Wednesday, particularly during rain-bearing cloud activity, potentially stirring up dust and reducing horizontal visibility.

Higher humidity overnight and in the early morning could also lead to fog or mist in some coastal and inland areas.

Meanwhile, the lowest temperature recorded in the UAE on Sunday morning was 21.2°C at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah at 6.15am.

Warning Issued to Drivers and Residents of Flood-Prone Areas

With unstable weather conditions continuing, authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution during rainfall, avoid unnecessary travel in hazardous conditions and switch on low-beam headlights when visibility is reduced.

Residents have also been advised to stay away from wadis, low-lying areas and locations prone to flooding, and to avoid crossing flooded roads.

Other safety recommendations include avoiding hazardous mountainous areas, beaches and the sea during severe weather, and preventing children from playing in accumulated rainwater.

The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology has also urged the public not to spread rumours about weather conditions and to follow the latest alerts and updates only through official sources.