UAE residents wait for hail, snow as sub-zero temperature is recorded

With the UAE recording a sub-zero temperature for the first time this winter season, residents have expressed joy over the rare phenomenon. Raknah in Al Ain recorded -2° Celsius at 5.15am on Saturday, January 9.

In January last year, the UAE's highest mountain — Jebel Jais — was covered with snow as temperatures dipped below 0°C.

Mohammed Ibrahim, an Emirati based in Ras Al Khaimah, said this is one of the lowest temperatures ever recorded in the country.

“Everyone can feel the pinch of cold weather,” he said. “It’s fun and all my family members like it.”

Ali Saeed, an Emirati based in Fujairah, predicted that it will start hailing soon. The UAE has, in the past, recorded hail storms that leave parts of the country blanketed in sheets of snow-like ice.

“Chilling out with friends on the Jebel Jais is one of the best things we can do,” said Mansur Abdullah, an Emirati based in Ras Al Khaimah.

Ahmad Jamil, a Syrian businessman, said he loves seeing some of the mountains covered with snow as recorded in previous seasons.

Aziz Bukarim, a Moroccan engineer, said this cold weather reminds him of the time he spent in Russia. “Of course, it is much colder there in Russia. I hope to see some of those picturesque scenes here in the UAE.”

reporters@khaleejtimes.com