UAE rain update: ‘Unbelievable’ satellite footage shows 1,400 km-wide cyclone as rains, storm lash Abu Dhabi. Check upcoming weather forecast

At a time when the Middle East is grappling with missiles and drones due to war-driven devastation, another crisis is looming over the region. The UAE has been witnessing unstable weather conditions for the past two days as thunder, lightning and rains have hit parts of the country on Thursday night. A rare and intense storm system has swept across parts of the Middle East, transforming arid desert landscapes into icy expanses and triggering widespread disruption.



"Unbelievable satellite view of the Middle East cyclone right now. It’s not very often you see something like this in the Persian Gulf region. Over 1,400 km to the SE of the low-pressure center, the most intense supercells of this entire system just struck the United Arab Emirates and blanketed the nation in exceptionally cold thunderstorms. Towering, electric cloud tops as frigid as -90 C (-130 F) moved directly over Dubai and Abu Dhabi, delivering one of the stormiest nights in recent memory for both of these desert metropolises," read an X post by Backpirch Weather.


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Heavy rain in UAE

The UAE has been battered by storms for the last few days with rain, thunder and lightning, and hailstones sweeping across the emirates. According to the Gulf News, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued yellow and orange alerts across the UAE as convective clouds bring unstable weather. Residents can expect rain of varying intensity, thunder, and lightning, particularly in coastal, eastern, and northern areas.



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The Middle East, a region typically marked by dry and arid conditions for most of the year, is now on alert as meteorologists have warned of an unusually intense rainfall event in the coming days. Advanced weather models indicate precipitation levels that could far exceed annual averages, with some areas expected to receive 100 mm to 500 mm of rain within just three days. Such extreme totals have raised serious concerns about dangerous flash flooding and widespread disruption.

The storm system is forecast to peak on Friday, driven by a powerful atmospheric setup. A deep trough anchored over Egypt and Saudi Arabia is merging with a cut-off low moving from the eastern Mediterranean toward Jordan and Iraq. Further intensifying the system, a strong shortwave trough originating near Italy is expected to amplify conditions, creating a negatively tilted system over Saudi Arabia while pulling in deep moisture from the Red Sea via a strengthening jet stream.

This rare and volatile combination is likely to unleash severe thunderstorms, torrential rainfall, and hazardous weather conditions across Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and southwest Iran. Additionally, a developing surface low over Iraq could prolong the system’s impact, potentially bringing heavy snowfall to higher elevations and extending the risk of extreme weather across the region.

UAE weather forecast rain

According to local reports, the weather department in UAE has sounded yellow and orange alerts due to the unstable weather conditions. Residents can expect rainfall of varying intensity, along with thunder and lightning, especially across coastal, eastern, and northern regions. Friday is likely to remain partly cloudy to cloudy, with convective cloud activity triggering intermittent showers across most parts of the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by a further drop in temperatures.

Winds are expected to be moderate to fresh, strengthening at times, particularly in open areas. Speeds may range between 15–30 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph in some locations.

These weather conditions could lead to blowing dust and reduced visibility, posing risks for commuters. Meanwhile, sea conditions are forecast to remain rough in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, increasing hazards for marine activities.

What about Dubai?

Dubai is currently at the center of concern as an intense weather system builds over the region. The city typically records around 100 mm of rainfall annually, but European weather models are now projecting 76 mm to 152 mm or more within just 24 to 48 hours, raising fears of severe flooding and disruption.

Similar threats are looming over Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, along with key ports near the Strait of Hormuz, which are already under pressure due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Beyond the risk of torrential rainfall, this powerful system could also trigger rare desert tornadoes, hailstorms, and gale-force winds across the United Arab Emirates, northern Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, making it one of the most extreme weather events the region has faced in recent years.

Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, follow official safety guidelines, and stay updated with weather alerts. Intense rainfall across the UAE has already caused wadis to overflow, creating dramatic visuals that have been widely shared on social media.