"Tough in the Gulf" - storms and flooding! by JessH
The weather in the UAE isn't as visibly seasonal as in most other countries: no autumn colours, no spring flowers, etc. Usual it?s either hot, less hot, humid, or windy. The UAE sometimes experiences some pretty extreme weather conditions that bring a new sense to the saying: It doesn't merely rain, it pours!
RAIN is very rare and always welcomed by UAE residents with great joy, with even adults running outside to stand in the rain & children cheerfully playing in puddles! From my experience, the highest likelyhood of rain is between the months of December - March. Due to the fact that the road sewage/drain system gets clogged with sand throughout the summer months, the water cannot go anywhere - leading to some quite severe localised FLOODING in the cities! (see photo)
Most extreme weather can usually be witnessed just before the major climate changes, i.e. just before or after summer. Prevailing northwesterly winds, known by their Arabic name Shammal (meaning "north") are the main cause of moderate to severe sandstorms, whipping sand up in the desert & lashing it across the country.
SANDSTORMS lend an eerie feeling to the day.
It almost seems like once in a while, the desert attempts to reclaim its territory and to bury the artificial glitter & glamour built by man. Exercise caution whilst driving during poor visibility, as well as mini-dunes building up on the highways.
THICK FOG is also a major disturbance in many parts of the country, due to previous rainfalls or sudden high humidity. It's quite common in September & October, and flights have had to be redirected or delayed because of heavy fog in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or the Northern Emirates.
We even had SNOW in early 2009 in Ras Al Khaimah, and HAIL STONES in Dubai and some other emirates! http://archive.gulfnews.com/gngalleries/galleries/10278675.htmlBelow, I have listed some newspaper articles about past weather disturbances that made it into the UAE's headlines:
More rain, thunder storms & gale-force winds & even hail (!) batter the UAE:
Gulf News - March 2009:
"Dubai's freakish weather continues, with Met office warnings for residents to stay away from the ocean and also the wadis in the mountains."
Rain storms lash Dubai; low visibility, lightning and fog:
Gulf News - March 2009:
--> Here you can see pictures and even video footage of Dubai's freakish weather in the spring of 2009.
Agony continues as relentless rain floods the roads:
Gulf News - 15th January 2008
Dubai/Sharjah: Motorists had another agonising day on the roads as heavy rains flooded most of the busy streets while some areas became "lakes" trapping drivers who drove through. Most arterial roads were clogged with vehicles, which moved bumper to bumper.
Health Warning:
Doctors strongly advise people with respiratory conditions to stay indoors during sandstorms and to take extra care if they do have to venture outside.
Dr Abdul Rehman Shihabi (Vetrauensarzt des Deutschen Generalkonsulats) said asthmatics were at risk of suffering attacks during sandstorms.
People with allergies to dust or elderly residents with chronic lung conditions should also try to avoid sandstorms, Shihabi said.
