Watch: Heavy rains, thunderstorms, lightning hit Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi saw a dramatic spell of summer weather on Friday, August 21, as rain swept across the capital, accompanied by lightning, thunder and gusty winds, bringing a striking change to the usually hot and dry summer conditions.

Videos shared by Storm Centre showed heavy rain, flashes of lightning and strong winds in Abu Dhabi. In one clip, lightning illuminated the sky in shades of purple as thunder echoed in the background and trees swayed in the wind.

Recommended For You

4 killed, 20 injured in Israeli strikes in south Lebanon, health ministry says

Iran warns strikes on US military vessels will intensify if 'harassment' continues

US-Iran war: Tit-for-tat strikes as Centcom, IRGC shoot at vessels in Hormuz

Iran says will declare 'prohibited zone' near Hormuz strait in coming days

UAE latest flight updates: Several flights cancelled or delayed

 

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Check out the video below:

Another video captured the dramatic purple glow from a balcony, with repeated flashes lighting up the sky.

In a separate clip, rain could be seen falling steadily onto Abu Dhabi's roads, marking a welcome spell of wet weather during the summer.

A KT reader also shared footage showing rain cascading outside their window, with flashes of lightning visible through the downpour and thunder audible in the background.

Another clip shared from Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road towards Al Khazna showed heavy rain lashing the road, with the downpour so intense that it partially obscured the driver's view. Strong winds could be seen sweeping through the area, while flashes of lightning lit up the sky in the distance.

Abu Dhabi closes parks, beaches until further notice

The weather conditions also prompted precautionary measures across the capital. Abu Dhabi City Municipality temporarily closed all parks, recreational facilities and affiliated beaches and suspended events until further notice.

The municipality said the measures were taken as a precaution to protect residents and ensure public safety amid fluctuating weather and heavy rainfall in several parts of Abu Dhabi.

Earlier today, Abu Dhabi Police has also activated a speed reduction system on several roads due to the rainy conditions, with speed limits reduced to 80kmph on the Sweihan-Nahel, Al Khaznah-Remah, Umm Al Oush-Al Razeen and Al Faya-Al Khatim roads, among others.

Rains across the UAE

The rain was not limited to Abu Dhabi. Several parts of the UAE also saw rains on Friday, with overcast skies and cooler temperatures giving residents a rain-soaked start to the weekend.

Videos shared by Storm Centre on X showed rainfall ranging from drizzle to heavier downpours along Khatm Al Shiklah Road and other parts of Al Ain.

The National Centre of Meteorology had forecast partly cloudy conditions, with a chance of cumulus clouds forming over the east and south, accompanied by rain in the afternoon.

Rains in the UAE are not unusual during summer due to the country's typical experience of low monsoon pressure from India.

However, the country also experiences more intense and disruptive weather episodes from time to time.

One of the heaviest rainfall events of the season was recorded on March 25, when storms transformed typically clear skies into dense cloud cover and heavy downpours, flooding streets and slowing traffic across multiple emirates.

Al Tawiyen recorded the highest rainfall at 47.9mm, followed by Al Marjan with 39.7mm. Khor Fakkan received 33.3mm, while Khatam Al Shaklah saw 31.6mm, and Khor Fakkan Port recorded 28.3mm of rainfall.

The storms caused damage in some areas, with trees uprooted and falling onto cars, particularly in Ajman. Residents came together to clear streets and maintain safety amid the sudden deluge. Emirates Airlines advised passengers to arrive at least two hours early as adverse weather continues in Dubai through March 26 and 27.

Written by

Elizabeth Gonzales

Elizabeth Gonzales is a Digital Journalist who loves writing about the expat life — and ways to make the most of it. When she's not looking for new hacks to share with readers, you may find her giving them a real laugh at one of her stand-up comic events.