Happening Now | Thunderstorms and rain in unusual areas of the UAE and Oman

Arab Weather - The weather forecasting team at the Arab Weather Regional Center is monitoring, via satellite images, the continued development of local cumulus clouds over parts of the Al Hajar Mountains in the Sultanate of Oman, as well as the southern and western parts of the United Arab Emirates. This is rare, with no direct or indirect impact on the eastern parts of the country.

Heavy rain, hail, lightning and thunder in parts of the UAE and Oman

According to weather data, these clouds are accompanied by rainfall of varying intensity, with some areas experiencing moderate to heavy rain showers, sometimes accompanied by hail, interspersed with thunderstorms and lightning, reflecting the vertical strength of these cumulus clouds.

Downward winds and local dust

Another accompanying phenomenon is the increased activity of surface winds around these clouds, particularly with the occurrence of what are known as downdrafts resulting from the sudden cooling of the cloud base due to precipitation. These winds can cause dust waves to be stirred up, leading to reduced horizontal visibility on some roads, especially in open areas.

Due to the nature of these clouds and their rapid development, the Arab Weather Center warns of the possibility of sudden weather fluctuations in some areas, including strong winds locally, heavy rainfall that could cause flash floods in some valleys and sloping areas, and reduced horizontal visibility due to dust or heavy rainfall.