UAE weather: Eastern clouds could build on Sunday before clearer days ahead
The UAE will experience partly cloudy conditions on Sunday with convective clouds forming over eastern areas, before more settled weather returns from Tuesday onwards, according to the National Centre of Meteorology.
UAE weather: Eastern clouds could build on Sunday before clearer days ahead
The UAE is expected to see partly cloudy skies on Sunday, with convective clouds developing over eastern regions during the afternoon, before conditions become more settled through the middle of the week, according to the National Centre of Meteorology.
The weather authority, established in 2007 through Federal Decree Law No. 6 issued by the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and operating under the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, forecasts that Sunday will be partly cloudy overall, with a probability of convective cloud formation in eastern areas during afternoon hours.
These convective clouds are typical during transitional periods between seasons in the UAE, often forming rapidly and bringing short, intense bursts of rain accompanied by gusty winds. The eastern region's Hajar Mountains, which extend 700 kilometers through the UAE and Oman and lie 50-100 kilometers inland from the Gulf of Oman coast, create topographic conditions that favour such cloud development.
Humidity and fog expected
Humidity levels are forecast to increase overnight and into Monday morning over some coastal areas. This pattern is characteristic of early September in the UAE, when relative humidity can reach around 90 percent overnight in both coastal and inland areas, raising the likelihood of fog and mist formation. The high humidity during this period results from changes in dominant air pressure systems in the Gulf, combined with the fact that the Arabian Gulf has been heated throughout summer, leading to greater evaporation and localized moisture.
Wind and sea conditions
Winds on Sunday will be light to moderate, blowing from the south-east to north-east at speeds of 10 to 25km/h, with occasional strengthening to 35km/h. Sea conditions are expected to remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf, which has an average depth of 36 meters and borders the UAE along its southern coast, and the deeper Gulf of Oman, a 115,000 square kilometer body of water with a maximum depth of 3,700 meters that connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz.
On Monday, conditions will range from fair to partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times over eastern parts of the country. South-easterly to north-easterly winds will again range from 10 to 25km/h, reaching 35km/h at times, while seas will remain slight in both water bodies.
Transitional period ahead
The timing of these weather patterns aligns with September's role as a transitional period in the UAE's climate. September 23 marks the autumnal equinox, when temperatures begin to decrease as the sun begins its southward journey toward the Tropic of Capricorn.
From Tuesday onwards, the weather is expected to become more settled. The NCM forecasts fair to partly cloudy conditions on both Tuesday and Wednesday, with winds shifting to south-westerly to north-westerly directions. Wind speeds will remain between 10 and 25km/h, occasionally reaching 35km/h, with slight seas forecast in both the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
The National Centre of Meteorology provides comprehensive meteorological forecasting and seismological monitoring services for the UAE, and is also responsible for cloud seeding operations aimed at increasing precipitation rates across the country.
