The UAE Ministry of Interior has issued a fresh warning to residents over heavy rain, hailstorms, thunder and lightning sweeping across parts of the country, urging extra caution on the roads and near the coast. The advisory, first issued on Tuesday evening and updated early Wednesday, October 21, covers areas including Al Heyab in Dubai, Al Madam in Sharjah, and Fujairah, where the heaviest rainfall and hail have been recorded.
The ministry asked drivers to slow down, stay alert and take extra care on wet roads, and advised residents to avoid wadis and areas prone to water accumulation. People have also been told to stay away from the sea and beaches while the unsettled weather continues.
Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist with the National Centre of Meteorology, said the ongoing El Nino phenomenon, expected to peak through October and November, is being felt strongly across the region and is a key driver behind the current spell of unusually heavy rain. He added that forecasts point to above-average rainfall potentially continuing into early 2027.
The warning comes as videos circulating on social media show hail blanketing parts of the UAE's desert areas in white, an unusual sight for residents of typically arid terrain. Meteorologists have cautioned that sudden downpours and lightning remain possible in various parts of the country over the coming days, and residents are being encouraged to check the latest bulletins from the National Centre of Meteorology before planning outdoor trips or beach visits.