The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is preparing for another round of heavy rain, following devastating downpours that struck the country in mid-April. This comes after the UAE experienced its most significant rainfall in 75 years on April 16.
While forecasters predict moderate to heavy showers with lightning and thunder starting Wednesday night, they expect this event to be different from the previous deluge.
“This won’t be a repeat of last time,” said Dr. Ahmed Habib, a weather expert from the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). “We anticipate cloud formation starting in the south of Abu Dhabi, gradually moving eastward. May 3rd is expected to be the peak of the rainfall.”
According to the NCM, showers may ease by Friday and Saturday as low pressure systems shift south, leading to reduced cloud cover. However, there’s still a chance of light to moderate rain during this period.
“Local factors will also influence the eastern region extending from Abu Dhabi,” Habib explained.”But meteorologists expect another weather pattern to develop Wednesday night.”
Habib explained that an extension of low pressure from the Red Sea will affect the UAE, bringing humid southeasterly winds with it. “A similar low-pressure system in the upper atmosphere from the north will also contribute to these conditions,” he said. “This combination will cause clouds to move from Saudi Arabia towards the UAE, triggering unstable weather conditions starting late Wednesday night.”