An upper-air trough has triggered recent rainfall, offering much-needed relief in various areas of the UAE.
Cloud seeding operations were carried out over the past few days whenever suitable cloud formations were detected, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), as the UAE witnessed the peak of its current rainy spell yesterday.
The recent rainfall, influenced by an upper-air trough, has brought welcome relief to several parts of the Emirates. The cloud seeding efforts aim to enhance natural precipitation and increase the amount of rainfall reaching the ground.
According to the NCM, the current weather system is expected to gradually weaken and move southward from today. However, afternoon cloud formation may continue over the eastern and western regions of the country, with the possibility of further localised weather activity.
Forecasters have indicated that rainfall remains possible, especially in the western parts of the UAE. By Friday, the upper-air system is expected to continue shifting southward, resulting in fewer clouds across much of the Emirates. However, a limited chance of rain will persist, mainly around the Al Ain region.
High temperatures and rainfall
The recent rainy spell has occurred as UAE temperatures have at times approached 50°C. While rainfall during such extreme heat may appear unusual, experts say intense surface heating can actually support the formation of convective clouds by driving rising air currents.
However, high temperatures alone cannot trigger rainfall. Showers require a combination of atmospheric factors, including sufficient moisture, humid air inflow, upper-air disturbances, atmospheric instability, and favourable wind conditions.
When these factors come together with strong summer heat, clouds can develop and produce rainfall, offering temporary relief from the intense temperatures.
The latest weather activity follows several convective events that have affected the UAE in recent days. On Wednesday, July 29, the National Centre of Meteorology issued an orange alert after heavy rain, dust storms, and strong winds impacted Dubai and other areas of the country. Wind speeds reached up to 50 km/h, causing reduced visibility in some locations.
A day earlier, rainfall and hail were reported in parts of the eastern region, including Masafi and areas north of Al Ain.
The Met Department had also issued yellow alerts on July 28 for dust storms and rainfall as convective cloud activity continued across the UAE during the height of summer.
