• A rainbow at Expo 2020 Dubai on a cloudy, rainy day for much of the country from Abu Dhabi city to the Northern Emirates on Sunday, January 16. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A rainbow at Expo 2020 Dubai on a cloudy, rainy day for much of the country from Abu Dhabi city to the Northern Emirates on Sunday, January 16. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A worker shelters beneath an umbrella in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A worker shelters beneath an umbrella in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Downtown Dubai awoke to rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Downtown Dubai awoke to rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Showers in Jumeirah, Dubai, made a day at the beach unappetising. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Showers in Jumeirah, Dubai, made a day at the beach unappetising. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Cyclists brave the weather in Deira. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Cyclists brave the weather in Deira. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • A car park in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A car park in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Showers in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
    Showers in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Police urged drivers to take care on the roads as rain fell across the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
    Police urged drivers to take care on the roads as rain fell across the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
  • Temperatures were expected to reach a maximum of 26°C in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Temperatures were expected to reach a maximum of 26°C in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Rain on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Rain on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Showers fell on various parts of Abu Dhabi before sunrise. Victor Besa / The National
    Showers fell on various parts of Abu Dhabi before sunrise. Victor Besa / The National
  • People make their way to work during the rain on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
    People make their way to work during the rain on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Forecasters said it would rain throughout the day. Victor Besa / The National
    Forecasters said it would rain throughout the day. Victor Besa / The National
  • It has been an exceptionally wet start to 2022 for the UAE, with more than 18 months' worth of rain falling in only a few days earlier in the month. Victor Besa / The National
    It has been an exceptionally wet start to 2022 for the UAE, with more than 18 months' worth of rain falling in only a few days earlier in the month. Victor Besa / The National
  • Almost the entire Abu Dhabi emirate was blanketed in dense fog at the weekend. Victor Besa / The National
    Almost the entire Abu Dhabi emirate was blanketed in dense fog at the weekend. Victor Besa / The National
  • People make their way on a street in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    People make their way on a street in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A man crosses a road in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
    A man crosses a road in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
  • Many people were wearing warm clothes, as chilly temperatures accompanied the rains. Victor Besa / The National
    Many people were wearing warm clothes, as chilly temperatures accompanied the rains. Victor Besa / The National
  • A man rides an electric bike in the rain. Victor Besa / The National
    A man rides an electric bike in the rain. Victor Besa / The National
  • Women make their way amid the rains. Victor Besa / The National
    Women make their way amid the rains. Victor Besa / The National
  • An almost deserted beach in Abu Dhabi during the wet weather. Victor Besa / The National
    An almost deserted beach in Abu Dhabi during the wet weather. Victor Besa / The National

UAE weather: several days of heavy rain expected, starting Saturday


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: Rain throughout the day in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Almost the entire Abu Dhabi emirate was blanketed in dense fog early on Friday, as police reduced speed limits on busy roads.

The National Centre of Meterology issued an alert warning of the hazy weather, which is expected to last up to 11am.

Drivers were warned not to exceed 80kph on motorways as visibility dropped below 1,000m.

The murky weather will eventually clear to leave a fair to partly cloudy day, with highs of 26°C on the coast and 28°C inland.

Dubai experienced fog in the early hours as well, but it will mostly clear by mid morning.

  • Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai pictured among the morning haze. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai pictured among the morning haze. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Fog along the E11 Highway in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    Fog along the E11 Highway in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • Visibility is greatly reduced on the E11 Highway in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Visibility is greatly reduced on the E11 Highway in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dubai's tall buildings pierce the fog. Victor Besa / The National
    Dubai's tall buildings pierce the fog. Victor Besa / The National
  • Motorists were urged to exercise caution on the roads. Victor Besa / The National
    Motorists were urged to exercise caution on the roads. Victor Besa / The National
  • Speed limits were reduced on major roads. Victor Besa / The National
    Speed limits were reduced on major roads. Victor Besa / The National
  • Motorists were urged to keep a safe distance from other vehicles when driving. Pawan Singh / The National
    Motorists were urged to keep a safe distance from other vehicles when driving. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A man walks his dog on a misty morning in Al Furjan, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A man walks his dog on a misty morning in Al Furjan, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Motorists drive slowly on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road. Pawan Singh / The National
    Motorists drive slowly on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The fog started to lift by mid-morning. Pawan Singh / The National
    The fog started to lift by mid-morning. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Unsettled weather is forecast for the next few days. Pawan Singh / The National
    Unsettled weather is forecast for the next few days. Pawan Singh / The National

The weekend will herald the start of another period of rainy weather, with showers expected on Saturday to Wednesday over many parts of the country.

Satellites show a bank of rain approaching Abu Dhabi and further up the coast in Dubai and the Northern Emirates mid-afternoon on Saturday. It could be heavy at times.

On Sunday, much of the coast will see showers, with the heaviest downpours beginning in the west and spreading to Abu Dhabi and beyond throughout the day. Dubai and the Northern Emirates will also see intense showers, according to rain.ae.

The rain will move away in the early hours of Monday, only to return in the late afternoon and evening. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates will also see showers.

On Tuesday, the rain will start over the sea, but will sweep in over the coast in time for rush hour. It will move away by mid-afternoon, before returning to affect Dubai and the Northern Emirates in the evening.

On Wednesday, the rain will mostly be confined to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, before disappearing around midday.

After many months of little rain in the UAE, January is making up for it, with a very wet start to 2022.

Almost 18 months' worth of rain fell in the UAE in the space of just three days at the start of the year.

On average, the UAE records about 100 millimetres of precipitation a year. A typical January usually sees only 10mm.

The UAE in bad weather: in pictures

  • Dark rain clouds form over the Ghantoot area in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dark rain clouds form over the Ghantoot area in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Lightning in Umm Al Quwain.
    Lightning in Umm Al Quwain.
  • Children enjoying during the rain in Masakin Al Furjan in Al Furjan area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Children enjoying during the rain in Masakin Al Furjan in Al Furjan area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Some roads were left flooded by downpours. Leslie Pableo / The National
    Some roads were left flooded by downpours. Leslie Pableo / The National
  • It was soggy at the Dubai Airshow on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    It was soggy at the Dubai Airshow on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Heavy rain in Khorfakkan
    Heavy rain in Khorfakkan
  • Children enjoy their day off school in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Children enjoy their day off school in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Residents in Satwa, Dubai shelter from the rain. Leslie Pableo / The National
    Residents in Satwa, Dubai shelter from the rain. Leslie Pableo / The National
  • Heavy skies over Dubai. Ramola Talwar / The National
    Heavy skies over Dubai. Ramola Talwar / The National
  • Abu Dhabi was overcast on Wednesday morning after some early rain. Victor Besa / The National
    Abu Dhabi was overcast on Wednesday morning after some early rain. Victor Besa / The National
  • A fisherman with his catch in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A fisherman with his catch in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dark skies behind Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Dark skies behind Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Residents take a walk under leaden skies on Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
    Residents take a walk under leaden skies on Abu Dhabi Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
  • A stormy Dubai skyline on Wednesday morning. Charlotte Mayhew / The National
    A stormy Dubai skyline on Wednesday morning. Charlotte Mayhew / The National
  • Schools across the UAE were closed on Wednesday. Victor Besa / The National
    Schools across the UAE were closed on Wednesday. Victor Besa / The National
  • Puddles formed outside Raha International School in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Puddles formed outside Raha International School in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dark clouds over Dubai Marina on Wednesday morning. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dark clouds over Dubai Marina on Wednesday morning. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • An interlude in the morning rain over Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    An interlude in the morning rain over Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A General view of Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai . Satish Kumar/ For the National
    A General view of Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai . Satish Kumar/ For the National
  • A general view of Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in Dubai . Satish Kumar/ For the National
    A general view of Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in Dubai . Satish Kumar/ For the National
  • Strong rain at Jumeirah Beach Road. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Strong rain at Jumeirah Beach Road. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Workers pump floodwaters on the street in Discovery Gardens. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Workers pump floodwaters on the street in Discovery Gardens. Leslie Pableo for The National
The biog

Name: James Mullan

Nationality: Irish

Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)

Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”

Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”

Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

Brief scoreline:

Crystal Palace 2

Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'

Huddersfield Town 0

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

25%20Days%20to%20Aden
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Michael%20Knights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20256%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2026%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%203-litre%20V6%20turbo%20(standard%20model%2C%20E-hybrid)%3B%204-litre%20V8%20biturbo%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20350hp%20(standard)%3B%20463hp%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20467hp%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20500Nm%20(standard)%3B%20650Nm%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20600Nm%20(S)%0D%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh368%2C500%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: January 16, 2022, 6:33 AM