Hail and heavy rain swept across parts of the northern and eastern UAE on Tuesday afternoon, turning wadis into running streams and prompting a weather alert over strong winds and blowing dust.

Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah were among the worst-affected areas. Hail was reported in Midq in Fujairah, and in Al Manai and Shawka in Ras Al Khaimah, with footage shared by the online weather platform Storm Centre showing flurries of hail and steady rainfall. Rainwater was also seen flowing through wadis near Sheikh Khalifa Road, on the route towards Fujairah.

The warning from the weather bureau

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued an alert for northern, eastern and southern areas, warning that winds could reach up to 45kph and lift dust into the air, cutting visibility. Winds were forecast at 10 to 25kph, strengthening to 45kph at times around cloud formations.

The alert was due to remain in place until at least 9pm on Tuesday. It followed an earlier forecast from the centre that convective clouds would bring rain to northern, eastern and southern parts of the country during the day.

Abu Dhabi Police also issued a safety message urging drivers to take care during spells of rain. Motorists were reminded to follow the variable speed limits displayed on road signs, which are adjusted when weather conditions deteriorate.

More rain on the way

The unsettled pattern is not expected to ease quickly. The NCM forecast further rain on Wednesday, 28 October, in northern and eastern areas, with winds reaching around 50kph and partly cloudy skies elsewhere.

According to the bureau's online weather map, heavy rain is forecast to continue in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Al Ain until Thursday, while other forecasts point to showers lingering through Saturday. Residents in the affected emirates should therefore expect changeable conditions for the rest of the week.

A mix of storms and summer-like heat

What makes the week unusual is the contrast. Despite the rain and hail, daytime temperatures are expected to stay in the mid to high 30s in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the next five days, and could reach 40°C in Al Ain and remote desert areas of Abu Dhabi.

The NCM's latest monthly summary puts the UAE's average daily temperature for October at 29.7°C. Forecasters have linked the lingering warmth in part to El Niño, the climate pattern that has been playing a role in delaying the cooler autumn weather residents usually expect at this time of year.

The combination of heat and moisture is typical of the transition between seasons in the Gulf, when warm air can fuel convective clouds that build quickly and deliver short, intense bursts of rain, and occasionally hail, in the mountains and surrounding areas.

Staying safe

Authorities routinely urge the public to exercise caution during unstable weather, and Tuesday's alert was no exception. General guidance from civil defence and police services in the UAE includes:

• Avoid crossing flowing wadis or driving through flooded roads, even when the water looks shallow.

• Reduce speed and increase following distance when visibility drops because of dust or rain.

• Follow the variable speed limits shown on electronic road signs.

• Keep an eye on official channels, including the NCM, for updates before travelling, particularly to mountain areas in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Travel and outdoor plans

Reduced visibility can also affect air travel. Earlier this month, The National reported that autumn weather could cause flight delays in the UAE because of lower visibility, so passengers planning trips this week would be wise to check their airline's latest information before heading to the airport.

For those planning weekend activities, such as hiking, camping or wadi visits, the forecast suggests conditions in the north and east may remain unpredictable until the end of the week. Checking the NCM forecast on the morning of any outing is a sensible precaution.

Outlook

For now, the outlook is a familiar autumn mix: warm days across most of the country, with pockets of heavy rain and strong winds concentrated in the north, east and Al Ain. The NCM will continue to monitor the situation, and updated warnings are likely if conditions intensify.