The UAE is set for more unsettled summer weather over the coming days, with afternoon rain expected in parts of the country even as temperatures continue to climb above 40°C.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), convective clouds are forecast to develop daily from Friday through Monday, August 3, bringing a chance of showers, particularly over eastern and southern areas of the UAE.

Where is rain expected?

The highest chance of rainfall is expected across eastern and southern parts of the country, including areas around Fujairah, the east coast of Sharjah and parts of Abu Dhabi’s interior. Elsewhere, skies will remain fair to partly cloudy.

The weather is being driven by a surface low-pressure system extending from the east, supported by an upper-air low-pressure system that is creating favourable conditions for cloud formation.

Hot days, stormy afternoons

Despite the rain forecast, temperatures will remain high:

• Inland: 43°C to 48°C
• Coastal areas: 38°C to 44°C
• Mountains: 30°C to 38°C

Winds will be light to moderate but could strengthen to 45km/h at times, especially around developing storm clouds, raising dust and reducing visibility in exposed areas.

Sea conditions are expected to remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Day-by-day forecast

• Friday: Afternoon clouds over eastern and southern regions with a chance of rain. Winds up to 40km/h.
• Saturday: Fair to partly cloudy with afternoon showers possible in the east and south.
• Sunday: Similar conditions, with another chance of convective rain in eastern and southern areas.
• Monday: Unsettled weather continues, with rain possible and stronger winds likely to kick up dust.

El Nino expected to strengthen

The wet spell comes as the NCM says there is a 98% probability of moderate El Nino conditions persisting between July and November 2026.

Looking ahead, the NCM expects both temperatures and rainfall across the UAE to remain near to above seasonal averages through the second half of the year.

Motorists travelling on Ras Al Khor Road and Al Khail Road can expect shorter journeys after Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) completed a series of road upgrades to ease congestion.

The improvements include new lanes, upgraded entry and exit points, and wider road sections, increasing road efficiency by 20 per cent, according to the RTA.

What motorists need to know

Ras Al Khor Rd

A new lane has been added in the direction of Al Khail Road, extending from the Financial Centre Street intersection.

The road has been widened from three lanes to four, boosting capacity by 33 per cent.

RTA has also upgraded:

• The exit from Financial Centre Street towards Meydan.
• The entrance from Financial Centre Street onto Ras Al Khor Road.

The changes are expected to cut travel time towards Al Khail Road from 15 minutes to 12 minutes during busy periods.

Al Khail Rd

A new 1km lane has also been added on Al Khail Road towards Abu Dhabi, widening the road from three to four lanes.

The additional lane increases capacity by 33 per cent and is expected to reduce peak-hour journey times by up to 20 per cent.

Traffic improvement plans

The upgrades form part of the RTA’s ongoing programme to improve traffic flow at some of Dubai’s busiest roads.

Recent works in the same corridor include:

• Opening a new exit from Financial Centre Street to Ras Al Khor Road.
• Widening Exit 25 from Ras Al Khor Road to Al Khail Road towards Al Meydan Street.
• Traffic improvements at several locations in Business Bay.

The RTA said the projects are designed to keep pace with Dubai’s rapid growth while making daily journeys faster and smoother for residents and visitors.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened a temporary staircase at Exit 1 of the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station as expansion work continues at one of the busiest stations on the Dubai Metro network.

Key points:

• Temporary access: The staircase at Exit 1 is now in use during construction.
• Passenger guidance: Commuters should follow the signposted routes/maps to reach the station. RTA staff are available on-site to assist passengers.
• Road closure: Earlier this month, the access road used by buses and taxis at the station was temporarily closed and is expected to remain closed until the end of 2026 to support the expansion project.
• Traffic management: RTA says an integrated traffic management plan is in place to maintain safe and efficient access to public transport.

Station expansion highlights

The project is designed to significantly improve capacity and passenger flow:

• Hourly capacity: Increasing from 7,250 to 12,320 passengers (about a 65% increase).
• Daily capacity: Up to 220,000 passengers.
• Station size: Expanding from 6,700 sq m to 8,500 sq m.

Planned improvements include:

• Enhanced station entrances and pedestrian bridges.
• Larger concourse and platform areas.
• Additional escalators and elevators.
• Separate entry and exit gates to reduce congestion.
• More fare gates.
• Expanded retail/commercial areas.
• Better integration with buses, taxis, and other transport modes.

The expansion is expected to ease congestion during peak periods, including New Year’s Eve and major public holidays, when the station experiences exceptionally high passenger volumes.