Why some Abu Dhabi residents saw no rain despite weather warnings

While weather warnings predicted rain, thunder, and strong winds across parts of Abu Dhabi on Friday, many residents in the capital city experienced only the usual summer humidity and haze. This discrepancy has led to confusion, with some authorities even announcing precautionary closures.

Maryam Al Shehhi, head of marine meteorology at the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), explained that the weather system primarily affected the emirate's inland and southern regions, bypassing the capital. "During summer, the low-pressure systems that affect us come from the east and southeast," Al Shehhi stated, noting that areas like Al Ain and the mountains are common starting points for convective cloud development.

The formation of these clouds, which can bring rain, is a result of a specific atmospheric condition: intense surface heat combined with high humidity and significantly cooler air in the upper atmosphere. This instability allows clouds to build rapidly. However, the resulting weather can be highly localized, meaning one area might receive substantial rainfall while a neighboring area, even within the same emirate, remains dry.

Al Shehhi also clarified that the sudden bursts of dust often accompanying summer rain are caused by powerful downdrafts from the falling rain hitting the ground and spreading, lifting dust from the surface. These downdrafts move vertically before spreading horizontally, creating the characteristic hazy conditions. The strongest activity is typically inland, with Al Ain and the Hajar Mountains frequently experiencing summer rain, while other areas like Mohamed bin Zayed City and Al Dhafra region can also be affected depending on the system's extent and movement.

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During summer, the low-pressure systems that affect us come from the east and southeast.