On Saturday, thousands of residents from the United Arab Emirates headed to Al Meyha in search of rain amidst the summer heat. What many expected to be a trip for light rain turned into a dramatic day with heavy precipitation, thunder, and hail near the Mahafiz intersection.
As the storm intensified, the sky darkened, and visibility on the roads sharply decreased. Hail struck cars and bounced off the ground, while hundreds of residents gathered at various points in the area to observe and record the weather.
Many of them did not end up in Al Meyha by chance; they specifically traveled there, following cloud movements and weather updates. Families and groups of friends spent hours on the road, hoping to catch the rain before it moved away.
According to Sajjad, a known UAE meteorologist, such trips can last from five to seven hours and cover over 150 kilometers, as people constantly move from one location to another. Unlike a regular road trip, rain chasers often head home without knowing exactly where they will arrive; the final destination depends on cloud movement, and plans can change several times within a few hours.
Shaad, a resident of Dubai who went on this adventure with his family, said that they decided to go to Al Meyha after seeing the clouds in the area darkening on a radar application. They understood they might arrive too late but decided the trip was worth it. He noted: 'We left behind completely different weather, and by the time we reached Al Meyha, it was raining heavily, thundering, and even hailing.' He added that the children were very excited as they had never experienced anything like this during the summer in the UAE, and the trip paid off when they finally found the storm.
Abdulla Al Ahli, a resident of Hawanij, joined his friends. He reported that the rain chase turned into a new type of journey for them. They usually start moving upon noticing a good chance of rain and then constantly change their route depending on the direction of the clouds. He emphasized: 'Sometimes you drive for more than an hour and arrive after the rain has already stopped, so there is always an element of luck. We are not heading to a fixed place; we are just following the rain.'
Sajjad, the UAE meteorologist, stated that he himself engages in rain chasing more than once a week from March to November, when there is a possibility of precipitation. However, even after long hours on the road, rain chasers sometimes return without the desired experience. He explained that sometimes they arrive at a location after the rain has already stopped, and traffic jams can delay them, or clouds can move through inland areas that are difficult to track. 'Tracking clouds becomes easier when they are moving towards highways,' he explained, 'this allows us to continue moving toward the storm instead of our route being interrupted by hard-to-reach areas.'
A typical rain chase takes about five to seven hours. Sajjad specified that the total distance can be up to 100 km on some days, but on other days it can exceed 150 km as the clouds continue to move. 'On a good day, the reward can come several times. We can experience rain or storms more than three times in one trip if they continue to follow the clouds after one episode ends.'
The meteorologist noted that there is no single application that can accurately tell a rain chaser where the next downpour will occur. He analyzes wind direction, pressure, temperature, and humidity before deciding which area has the highest chance of cloud development. 'Two sea breezes play an important role during summer afternoons. One comes from the Arabian Gulf, and the other from the Gulf of Oman, and both bring moisture inland.' He added that when these winds meet, they can contribute to cloud formation, but low pressure, high temperature, and sufficient humidity are also necessary to intensify the clouds.
The meeting point can change daily. On one day, stronger clouds might be near Al Meyha, while on another, they might appear in the direction of Sharjah, Masafeh, or Fujairah. This means there is no single spot where residents can simply go every time they want to find rain. A successful chase can involve multiple stops, sudden changes in direction, and hours of driving before the rain finally appears.
Sajjad predicts another chance of rain on Sunday, this time closer to the outskirts of Dubai. He suggested that clouds might develop around Lisaili, Al Qudra, Margama, and nearby areas, depending on the weather development throughout the day. 'However, the exact location can change as the clouds form and move. For rain chasers, this means Sunday could bring another day on the road, watching the sky and following the clouds to where the rain develops.'
Rain was observed again in the UAE on Sunday, August 9th. Videos have appeared online showing thunderstorms and hail falling on Al Ain.
The last two weeks in the eastern and southern regions of the country have been accompanied by wet weather, despite peak summer temperatures reaching 50°C. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued orange and yellow warnings regarding convective clouds that may cause precipitation, and these warnings are valid until 22:00 on Sunday.
Areas covered by this alert include the southern districts of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Fujairah emirates. Footage shows heavy rain and hail falling on the Dubai-Al Ain road on Sunday, August 9th, with reduced visibility on the road.
Another video demonstrates camels sheltering under trees during heavy downpours in the desert. Residents were advised to exercise caution when going outdoors on that day due to expected hazardous weather phenomena.
Meanwhile, Oman warned its residents about possible flash floods due to heavy rains over the Hajar Mountains, located on the border with the UAE. The Omani Meteorological Department also forecasted hail in the region and issued warnings nationwide.
Concurrently, the meteorological center of Saudi Arabia warned residents of some regions about thunderstorms and hail, as well as heavy rains and winds that could raise dust.
According to NCM data, the UAE may face additional rainy days over the next week, which will be a relief for residents struggling with high temperatures reaching 50°C. On Saturday, thousands of residents traveled to Mleiha in search of rain and encountered a period of heavy rain, thunder, and hail in the afternoon.
Astronomers predict that the star Suhail will rise on August 24th, which usually marks the end of the peak of summer and the beginning of a 40-day transition period from extreme heat to cooler temperatures.
On Wednesday, August 5, parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced heavy rainfall. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts that precipitation will continue until August 7.
Despite Al Dhafra Abu Dhabi reaching a record high of 51.2°C, other areas of the country prepared for rain as the sky was overcast in the morning. Video footage published by the Storm Center shows rain in both Fujairah and the capital's Al Dhafra area.
Despite the downpour, temperatures are expected to remain high due to the passage of the El Niño wave. Previously, NCM issued orange and yellow warnings for these parts of the Emirates to alert residents to hazardous weather conditions and recommend caution when engaging in outdoor activities.
Rain is expected to continue until 22:00 today in the eastern and western regions, accompanied by strong winds that may cause dusty conditions. Another video from the Storm Center shows residents enjoying the rain in the same locations, with overflowing curbs observed as cars cautiously moved through the downpour.
Meanwhile, in the Al Dhafra region around 15:45 today, cloudy skies and moderate rain were observed. Under such weather conditions, the Abu Dhabi police urged drivers to exercise caution and adhere to variable speed limits indicated on signs and electronic displays.
Residents are also strongly advised to monitor weather forecasts through official channels and be prepared to follow instructions from relevant authorities, avoiding rumors and relying on official NCM reports.
Earlier, on August 3, some parts of the UAE saw rain and hail, which was attributed to atmospheric conditions conducive to the formation of convective clouds. A wider Persian Gulf region is also expecting unstable weather this week, with authorities in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Oman warning of ongoing thunderstorms in several locations.
Meteorological experts, including Ahmed Habib, an NCM meteorologist, explained in a recent interview with Khaleej Times that the current El Niño wave may be the cause of the country's rainfall. El Niño is a natural climatic pattern that occurs globally every two to seven years and lasts for almost a year. It causes a significant rise in sea surface temperature near the equator, shifting warm water masses, as well as global wind and rain patterns.
In the UAE, this phenomenon is believed to increase atmospheric humidity, which many may have noticed as increased humidity in recent days, especially at night. Although high humidity contributes to the formation of convective clouds and increases the likelihood of rain, it does not affect the overall temperature, which is likely to remain high due to the extreme heat brought by El Niño to this region.
NCM has repeatedly called on residents to take the following precautions in case of convective clouds and heavy rain: follow safety measures during convective clouds; take precautions while driving in the rain; stay away from flash flood zones and accumulated rainwater; avoid being in open or elevated areas during lightning and thunder; be vigilant about downdrafts, which can lead to falling objects and reduced horizontal visibility.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of staying away from dangerous places. Residents are advised to avoid valleys, low-lying areas, and flood-prone zones, and not to attempt crossing flooded wadis. It is also recommended to stay away from beaches, the sea, and mountainous areas during unstable weather and to avoid letting children play or walk in standing water.
According to the forecast from the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), the weather in the UAE is expected to be clear or partly cloudy on Monday, August 3.
There is a possibility of convective cloud formation in the east and south, which will lead to precipitation in the afternoon. A light to moderate southeast or northeast wind of 10–25 km/h is expected, which may occasionally increase to 40 km/h.
The sea in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea will be calm. Overall temperatures across the country are predicted to reach a maximum of 48°C, with a minimum temperature of 25°C.
In major cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, daytime temperatures will be 46°C, and nighttime temperatures will be 34°C, 33°C, and 32°C, respectively. Humidity levels in Dubai will fluctuate between 25 and 85 percent, in Abu Dhabi between 33 and 46 percent, and in Sharjah between 32 and 46 percent.
Residents of the UAE should expect further rain until August 6, as the expansion of the surface low-pressure system from the east will affect weather conditions. Furthermore, the weather will depend on the expansion of a weak upper atmospheric low-pressure system.
From August 2 to August 6, convective cloud formation is expected in some parts of the country, carrying the possibility of precipitation. Ahmed Habib, an NCM meteorologist, explained the possible cause of the rains during the hot summer in the UAE in a recent interview with Khaleej Times, suggesting that the ongoing El Niño wave might be the reason.
