WATCH: Hailstorm, rains lash UAE

JUMP FOR COVER ... Sudden downpour saw people run for cover.

Dubai - Authorities have warned motorists to proceed with caution and drive with headlights or fog lights to ensure safety on the roads.

By Staff Reporter

Published: Wed 17 Feb 2016, 8:45 PM

Last updated: Fri 30 Dec 2022, 9:10 AM

Hail, thunder, and heavy rain thrashed parts of the UAE on Wednesday, particularly Sharjah, according to the National Center for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS). Rain was reported in various parts of Sharjah and Dubai, including Deira and Mirdiff.

In Dubai, heavy rain and hail forced play to be suspended at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships during a match between Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro and Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia. Speaking to Khaleej Times, an NCMS spokesman noted that the rain, hail and thunder is associated with what he "towering clouds".

"In the areas that have had local weather, there are towering convective clouds, in which the upper layer is deeper," he explained. "That's why it's hailed in places like Maliha and Mirdif. This began in some parts in the west on Tuesday." The spokesman added that some unstable weather will still be felt in some parts of the UAE until Thursday afternoon.

"It will be continuous, and some of these clouds will still be around, particularly in the east as they are moving in that direction, until Thursday around noon," he said. "Humidity will also increase at night, which may lead to fog (on Thursday) and Friday."Overall, the UAE can expect partly cloudy weather and light rain through Friday, he noted.With dropping temperatures in parts of UAE, Sharjah witnessed a hailstorm today in the Al Malaiha area.

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Ice rain at dubai ,,, ho my god

Posted by Ajith Ranjan on Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Thick fog covered most parts of Dubai and neighbouring emirates on Wednesday morning as motorists reported very less visibility.

Authorities have warned motorists to proceed with caution and drive with headlights or fog lights to ensure safety on the roads.

Motorists warned as thick fog blankets #UAE. This is how a drive through Al Khail road in #Dubai looks as of now. Video by Shihab / Khaleej TimesRead weather forecast: http://bit.ly/1oFbVUx

Posted by Khaleej Times on Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Driving to work on this foggy day? This is how Al Khail road in #Dubai looks as of now. Drive carefully!Video by Shihab / Khaleej TimesRead weather forecast: http://bit.ly/1oFbVUx

Posted by Khaleej Times on Tuesday, February 16, 2016

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The Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman are expected to be "moderate in general" but may become rough at times.

The UAE residents had a mild start to the week on Monday, with highs of between 22 to 25°C and lows of 11 to 16°C in coastal areas; highs of 24 to 26°C and lows of 10 to 14°C in internal areas; and highs of only 13 to 16°C and lows of 5 to 9°C in coastal areas.

The rains in Fujairah have caused severe flooding in certain areas of the Emirate