Historic rainfall in UAE results in major flooding, traffic chaos in Dubai

Historic rainfall in UAE results in major flooding, traffic chaos in Dubai

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the UAE was struck by an exceptional weather event, with record-breaking rainfall reaching up to 254.8 mm (10 inches) in Al Ain, surpassing the country’s annual average in less than 24 hours. The National Centre of Meteorology (NMC) issued a red alert as the rains caused significant flooding, traffic disruptions, and at least one death in Dubai. This severe weather follows similar impacts in neighboring Oman, where 19 fatalities were reported.

Intense hailstorms hit UAE after cloud seeding operations

Intense hailstorms hit UAE after cloud seeding operations

Heavy rain accompanied by lightning and intense hailstorms hit the city of Al Ain and other parts of UAE on the morning of February 12, 2024, causing impressive hail accumulations. This is reportedly the strongest hailstorm Al Ain has seen in 40 years. It comes after NMC conducted a series of cloud seeding flights.

Rare waterspout forms off Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Rare waterspout forms off Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

A rare waterspout for the region formed off the coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates on the morning of October 27, 2021. While waterspouts are rare in the UAE, they can occur when the weather conditions are right, and several of them have been recorded before off…

34-car pile-up accident after dust storm hits Dubai, UAE

34-car pile-up accident after dust storm hits Dubai, UAE

A car accident involving 34 vehicles took place in Dubai, UAE on Monday, May 3, 2021. The dust storm is affecting most parts of the country. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a code yellow dust storm alert. According to Dubai Police, the accident…

Widespread flash floods claim 4 lives in Sharjah, UAE

Widespread flash floods claim 4 lives in Sharjah, UAE

Widespread flash floods caused by heavy rains hit the Emirate of Sharjah in UAE on May 26, 2020, killing four people and injuring several others near Wadi Al Helo. The victims were initially reported to be missing after three vehicles were washed away by floods. The…

Severe thunderstorms, rain and hail hit Dubai, UAE

Severe thunderstorms, rain and hail hit Dubai, UAE

Severe thunderstorm, described as one of the biggest of the year, struck Dubai, UAE on Saturday night, March 21, 2020. The event was accompanied by heavy rain and hail, an unusual sight for the desert city. The event gained mixed reactions from many residents, who…

UAE: Research underway to help make artificial clouds

UAE: Research underway to help make artificial clouds

Research is now underway to help make artificial clouds as a new method of generating rainfall in the UAE, said National Center of Meteorology (NCM) director Dr. Omar Al Yazeedi on January 19, 2020. Speaking at the International Rain Enhancement Forum in Abu Dhabi…

Snow blankets UAE’s highest peak Jebel Jais amid week of severe weather

Snow blankets UAE’s highest peak Jebel Jais amid week of severe weather

Snow almost entirely covered Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates, on January 15, 2020, as temperatures hit -1 °C (30.2 °F) during the country's week-long stretch of severe weather, including heavy downpour, hailstorms, and…

Heavy snow blankets Saudi Arabian NW province of Tabuk, Lebanon and Syria

Heavy snow blankets Saudi Arabian NW province of Tabuk, Lebanon and Syria

Residents of the Saudi Arabian northwestern province of Tabuk took to social media to share stunning scenes of heavy snow that started on Thursday night, January 9, 2020. During the same period, severe weather struck parts of the Middle East, with rain in the UAE,…