Heavy rain swept across parts of Al Ain on Friday, flooding several roads and prompting a safety advisory from Abu Dhabi Police. The UAE's National Centre of Meteorology had issued yellow and orange alerts for rain and thunderstorms, valid until 9pm on Friday, as skies turned dark grey over the city and water pooled on roads, slowing traffic.
The downpour followed a string of unsettled weather across the UAE. A day earlier, on Thursday, parts of Sharjah were hit by heavy rain and hail, with chunks of ice visible on some highways. Thunder and localised flooding were also reported in the Malaqta area.
In response, Abu Dhabi Police urged motorists to follow road safety guidelines and exercise extra caution given the waterlogged streets and rapidly shifting conditions. Footage shared by local storm trackers showed grey skies and standing water across Al Ain's roads during the storm.
Meteorologists say the unstable weather pattern could persist over the coming days and have advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel during peak rainfall and keep a safe distance from other vehicles on wet roads.