While much of the UAE continues to swelter under intense summer heat, residents in the eastern regions have something to look forward to: some rain.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), conditions today will be generally fair to partly cloudy, with convective clouds expected to develop over eastern parts of the country, bringing the possibility of rainfall. Some inland areas could also experience rain later in the afternoon.

Temperatures near 46°C

Despite the rain forecast, temperatures are expected to stay exceptionally high across most of the UAE.

Dubai is forecast to reach a scorching 45°C, while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are expected to reach 44°C. The hottest locations today will be Al Ain and Liwa, where temperatures could climb to 46°C.

Fujairah is likely to be the coolest emirate thanks to the expected cloud cover and rainfall, with temperatures peaking at around 38°C.

Across the country, coastal areas are expected to see temperatures between 37°C and 43°C, while inland regions could reach between 44°C and 48°C.

Dusty conditions in some places

The NCM has also warned of dusty conditions as winds strengthen throughout the day.

Light to moderate southeasterly winds are expected to shift northwesterly, reaching speeds of up to 40km/h in some areas. These stronger winds could lift dust and sand, particularly in exposed and open areas, reducing visibility for motorists.

Drivers are advised to remain cautious on the roads and stay alert to changing visibility conditions.

Calm seas

For those planning a seaside outing, conditions are expected to remain relatively stable.

The Arabian Gulf is forecast to experience slight seas, with wave heights between two and three feet. Meanwhile, the Sea of Oman is expected to be slightly rougher, with slight to moderate conditions and waves reaching up to four feet.

With temperatures remaining firmly in the mid-40s, any rainfall over the eastern regions will provide a welcome break from the summer heat, even if only temporarily.

The United Arab Emirates is expected to experience rainfall, fog and a drop in temperatures over the coming days, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The weather authority said convective clouds are likely to develop from Tuesday afternoon, bringing showers to parts of the country, particularly eastern regions. Humid conditions are also expected to increase the likelihood of fog and mist in some coastal and inland areas.

Monday’s weather is forecast to remain largely fair, although clouds may form over eastern areas. Humidity levels are expected to rise overnight and into Tuesday morning, especially across western coastal and inland regions, creating favourable conditions for fog and mist.

On Tuesday, skies are expected to be fair to partly cloudy, with cloud build-up during the afternoon leading to scattered rainfall in some areas. Similar conditions are forecast for Wednesday, with rain-bearing clouds likely to develop once again over eastern parts of the country.

The NCM said temperatures are expected to fall on Thursday, particularly across western areas of the UAE. Fresh north-westerly winds may also lead to blowing dust in exposed locations.

Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf are forecast to become moderate to rough at times, especially in western waters. Winds are expected to range between 10kph and 25kph, with gusts reaching up to 40kph in some areas.

Residents are advised to monitor official weather updates as conditions develop throughout the week.

The UAE could experience hotter-than-normal and wetter-than-normal weather in the coming months as El Niño conditions strengthen across the tropical Pacific Ocean, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

In its latest seasonal outlook, the NCM said there is a 98 per cent probability of El Nino conditions continuing between July and November 2026, with temperatures and rainfall across the UAE expected to range from near-average to above-average levels.

The forecast is based on conditions in the Nino 3.4 region of the tropical Pacific Ocean, a key climate indicator used by meteorologists worldwide. The latest sea surface temperature anomaly in the region is 0.5°C above normal, officially placing it within El Nino territory.

What is El Nino?

El Nino is a natural climate pattern caused by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. Although it occurs thousands of kilometres away, it can influence weather systems across the globe, including the UAE and other countries in the region.

Historically, El Nino events have been associated with higher temperatures, increased humidity, heavier rainfall in some regions, and more extreme weather patterns worldwide.

What could it mean for the UAE?

While the UAE is not among the regions most severely impacted by El Nino, forecasters say residents could see:

• Higher-than-normal temperatures
• Increased humidity levels
• Greater chances of rainfall compared to seasonal averages
• More variable weather patterns during the second half of the year

The NCM stressed that climate conditions are continuously monitored and forecasts will be updated monthly based on the latest international weather models and observations.

For now, residents should prepare for a potentially hotter and more humid summer as the climate phenomenon strengthens.