Gulf weather: Rain in Sharjah, Dubai; thunderstorms in Qatar; hail in Oman

A new low-pressure system has swept across the Gulf, raising weather notifications in the UAE, along with Oman and Qatar. Met offices across the three countries are forecasting rainfall, occasional thunderstorms and hail, along with rough seas with wave height reaching 10 feet. According to the latest update by the UAE’s National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), light rainfall was recorded on Wednesday afternoon in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. The wet weather will spread across the rest of the country by late afternoon, which will also bring about a drop in mercury with temperatures cooling off by nearly seven degrees Celsius. The UAE’s forecasters see unstable weather over the next 48 hours, which will also give rise to fresh winds at times that could blow dust and sand over open areas and reduce horizontal visibility. “Satellite imagery indicate the unstable weather system spread across 1,000km or so, which will affect not just the UAE, but will bring about a similar effect to Oman, eastern Saudi Arabia and even Qatar,” an NCMS spokesperson told Emirates 24|7 earlier. “The country will experience varied intensities of rainfall across the western region of UAE, which will gradually spread across the northern and the eastern parts of the country as the day progresses.” Oman’s National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre has also issued a weather alert, warning of thunderstorms and rough seas with wave height averaging 10-feet, as the low-pressure system descends over the region. It said: “Isolated rain with the occasional thundershowers associated with fresh wind and hail are expected over the governate of Musandam and gradually affecting governates of Al Buraimi, Al Dhahira, north and south Al Batina, Muscat, Al Dhakliya, north and south Al Sharqiyah.” The centre further stated coastal areas of Musandam could see wave height reach highs of three metres or close to 10 feet. The weather system in the Sultanate is expected to last until Saturday, with residents of Oman being warned to avoid cross wadis in fear of flash floods and avoid going sailing; they are also being told to follow regular weather updates. Similarly, the Qatar’s Meteorological office has also issued a weather bulletin, warning of thunderstorms and rough seas in the country. The Ministry of Interior Qatar confirmed rainfall has commenced across the country, saying: “It’s raining at many parts of the country. “Motorists are advised to be cautious and drive at a speed the suits the conditions. Thundery rain associated with strong wind is expected.”   Emirates247