Strong rains fell in parts of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, accompanied by hailstorms, as dark clouds gathered over the emirates. This period of unstable weather brought heavy downpours and impressive footage of hail falling onto the ground in both urban areas and the country's open desert landscapes.
In one striking video, a man happily collects hail into a bucket during a powerful storm. He smiles while lifting the ice and records the unusual scene on his phone as the hail strikes the ground with a loud, continuous crackle. As he continues to film and photograph, water begins to accumulate under the bucket, and a heavy flow rushes across the ground. The sound of the rising water grows louder, intensifying the drama of the scene as the storm's force becomes evident.
The flow soon becomes so strong that the man has to run, tightly clutching his kandura, to reach a safe place. The recording shows his delight in collecting the hail, which is quickly replaced by a hurried escape as the rushing water splashes around him.
In another video, published by the account storm_ae, a man is seen collecting hail from the ground in Fujairah while new hailstones continue to fall, hitting the desert landscape with a loud, distinct sound. The footage captures the unusual sight of hail accumulating on the sandy terrain while the man holds the ice, and the storm rages around him.
Heavy rains triggered water flows through wadis along Sheikh Khalifa Road towards Fujairah, where powerful currents rush rapidly through rocky beds. A video also shared by storm_ae conveys the dramatic power of the flooding water, which crashes onto the landscape with a deafening roar, sweeping through the wadi at an astonishing speed.
On October 20, the UAE Ministry of Interior issued safety recommendations ahead of expected unstable weather across the country. The Ministry strongly advised residents to remain vigilant, exercise caution, and reduce driving speeds. The public was also advised to stay away from wadis and areas prone to water accumulation, as well as to avoid going out to sea or visiting beaches.
Earlier this year, meteorologist NCM Ahmed Habib told Khaleej Times that the influence of El Niño on the UAE could become more pronounced in autumn, particularly in October and November. Habib noted: 'From autumn, especially in October and November, the effect of El Niño will be felt in our region. Currently, during the summer season, its influence is stronger in East Asia than in West Asia.'
The recent period of unstable weather in the UAE occurs against the backdrop of this phenomenon expected to have a greater impact on regional weather conditions. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) warned that the UAE may experience above-average rainfall in the coming months, with El Niño expected to persist until early 2027.
