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UAE residents enjoyed a rare hail storm on Monday, even as rains are expected to continue in some parts of the country on Tuesday.
Heavy hail storm struck parts of the country blanketing extensive stretches in white. And social media was flooded with images with many calling it ‘snow’.
The National Centre of Meterology and Seismology has said that the images circulating on the net is not of snow but hailstones, reported ‘Emarat Al Youm’.
Cold wave and rain is due to low pressure and movement of clouds from Saudi Arabia towards UAE, the centre said.
Tuesday will see cloudy to partly cloudy skies with chances of rain the morning in some parts and drop in temperatures, while strong winds may reduce visibility.
Hail (and snow?) for Monday delight
Monday night saw thunder and lightning in some parts of the UAE, even as medium to heavy rain is forecast in some northern and eastern parts of the country today, according to the national weather bureau.
Residents went berserk on social media posting pictures of what they claimed was 'snow' in UAE.
Meanwhile, the National Centre of Meterology and Seismology has said that the images circulating on the net is not of snow but hailstones, reported ‘Emarat Al Youm’.
Cold wave and rain is due to low pressure and movement of clouds from Saudi Arabia towards UAE, the centre said.
Tuesday will see cloudy to partly cloudy skies with chances of rain the morning in some parts and drop in temperatures, while strong winds may reduce visibility.
Vide by Thajun Nisa
EARLIER: Hail the snow in Abu Dhabi; Ras Al Khaimah floods [video]
Hail storms continue to down the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway, with John Guiller tweeting: “It’s raining ice along the way! Al Ain-Dubai Road!”
Nazih Fares tweeted: “Traffic is nuts this morning in Dubai. Don’t take Al Ain or Umm Suqueim Road. Don’t know about the rest.”
Hail and floods
While the UAE reels from an ‘unstable’ weather pattern that is expected to last 24 hours, Abu Dhabi has borne the brunt of the storm with hail pounding down on commuters in the morning hours of Monday.
Picture credit: Dave Laureles
A hail storm was reported in parts of Sweiham, Shahama and Al Taweela, experienced by commuters driving down the highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Picture credit: Dave Laureles
The country’s National Center for Meteorology and Seismology (NMCS) confirmed the news with Emirates 24|7, saying: “There was heavy rain and hail in parts of Al Ajban, Abu Dhabi last night and this morning.”
Al Ain
Pic credit: Nouman Nayyer
However, the NCMS also reiterated, that images flooding social media websites claiming that snow has struck the UAE were incorrect.
The spokesperson stated: "Due to the intensity of the hail storm that struck parts of Abu Dhabi and continues to do so, it appears that it may have snowed. But what you see is intense hail."
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Police has urged commuters to proceed with caution as thunderstorms and high cross winds continue to lash the capital.
The government authority tweeted: “Medium to heavy rain in different areas in city of Abu Dhabi and highways. Motorists are urged to drive cautiously.”
Thunderstorms in UAE 'live': Car on fire on Sheikh Zayed Road
Commuters in the northern part of the country are facing their own weather chaos during the morning drive, with residents in Ras Al Khaimah waking up to a flooded city and high cross winds amidst the thunder and lightning storm.
Cars were submerged in water-clogged streets, as commuters complained of taking twice the time to get to work, only to find those areas flooded.
The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority has warned people to stay away from flowing water during a lightning storm as flooding began in parts of the country.
The RAK Police has issued an alert warning residents to avoid Wadi Bih tweeting: “We emphasize the importance of not frequenting mountainous areas such as Wadi Bhi or such places to avoid flooded valleys.”
It further stated: “There is a great pool of water in the Ras Al Khaimah Marine Sports Club area on the Corniche denominators causing huge traffic of vehicles.”
To communicate with the police in case of an emergency, RAK Police is requesting people to call 07 235 6611 or 07 235 6600
Ras Al Khaimah
Pic credit: Maria Khan
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