[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest updates as the UAE deals with heavy rains and unstable weather conditions.]
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has recorded significant rainfall across parts of the UAE, with offshore and mountainous areas receiving the highest amounts as unstable weather persists.
Top five recorded rainfall amounts on Tuesday, March 24, 2026:
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Das Island: 47.9mm
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Dayyinah Island: 39.7mm
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Jebel Mebrah: 33.3mm
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Jebel Yanas: 31.6mm
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Abu Dhabi Corniche: 28.3mm
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Residents across the UAE experienced fast-changing weather conditions on Wednesday, with strong winds followed by short but intense rain bursts.
In Abu Dhabi, the weather shifted rapidly late morning. Around 11am, winds intensified before light showers turned into short but heavy downpours.
The first rainfall started with strong winds, then light rain, and within minutes escalated into intense storm bursts.
Hail in desert, inland areas
According to NCM weather expert Dr Ahmad Habib, hail was recorded in parts of the country — particularly inland and desert regions where daytime heating is the strongest.
These include areas stretching between Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, and Fujairah, as well as western regions like Madinat Zayed.
“When surface temperatures are high, they create strong upward air currents (updrafts), which help clouds grow vertically,” Dr Habib explained. “Water droplets are lifted to higher, colder layers of the atmosphere, freeze, and then fall as hail.”
Hail is therefore more likely during the daytime, when heating at the Earth’s surface is at its peak.
Confirmed hail activity has already been reported in parts of Ras Al Khaimah, including Al Shaam and Wadi Al Qor.
More rain expected
The NCM has forecast continued unstable conditions, with another round of showers expected Thursday into early Friday as part of a second wave.
Source: Khaleej Times