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.

Planning to ride the UAE’s first Etihad Rail passenger service? Now is the perfect time to book. Etihad Rail has unveiled a limited-time 50% launch discount on tickets for its new Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route, bringing fares down to as little as Dh55.

The passenger service officially begins on June 30, but travellers will need to act fast. Demand has been exceptionally high since bookings opened, with many seats on launch day already sold out or close to selling out. The introductory offer applies to both Comfort and Premium classes, giving passengers an affordable chance to be among the first to experience the UAE’s highly anticipated rail network.

Introductory prices

Passengers can choose between two travel classes, both currently available at discounted launch fares:

Comfort Class

• Regular fare: Dh109
• Launch fare: Dh55

Premium Class

• Regular fare: Dh239
• Launch fare: Dh120

Which ticket type should you choose?

Etihad Rail offers three ticket tiers designed to suit different travel needs and levels of flexibility.

Saver

Ideal for travellers with fixed plans.

• Lowest-priced option
• Changes and refunds are not permitted
• Seat selection available for an additional fee
• Complimentary seat allocation 24 hours before departure
• Tickets cannot be transferred to another passenger

Value

Perfect if you need some flexibility.

• Free seat selection included
• Unlimited free changes up to 72 hours before departure
• Changes made within 72 hours incur a Dh20 fee plus any fare difference
• Non-refundable
• Non-transferable

Flex option

The most flexible ticket option.

• Complimentary seat selection
• Unlimited free changes before departure and up to 30 minutes after scheduled departure
• Full refund available when cancelled at least 24 hours before travel
• Same-day cancellations incur a 30% cancellation fee
• Transferable to another passenger before boarding

Travellers can upgrade from Saver to Value for an additional Dh10, or to Flex for Dh20.

How to book your ticket

Booking a journey is straightforward and can be completed online through the Etihad Rail website or mobile app.

Step 1: Choose the route

Select Abu Dhabi and Fujairah as your departure and arrival stations, then choose your preferred travel date. Tickets are currently available for journeys from June 30, 2026 onwards.

Step 2: Select the class

Choose between Comfort and Premium Class, then pick the ticket tier that best matches your travel plans.

Step 3: Add a return trip

If you’re planning a round trip, simply repeat the booking process for your return date.

Step 4: Enter passenger information

Provide your full name, email address and mobile number.

Step 5: Add optional services

Passengers can also book a connecting shuttle bus service for an additional Dh10.

Step 6: Complete payment

Pay securely using a credit card, debit card or mobile wallet. Once payment is confirmed, your digital ticket will be issued instantly. Physical ticket vending machines will also be available at stations.

Etihad Rail rollout timeline

The Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route marks the first phase of Etihad Rail’s passenger operations, with additional stations opening over the coming months.

June 30, 2026

Passenger services begin between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

September 30, 2026

Dubai Train Station and Al Dhaid Train Station officially open.

December 30, 2026

Stations in Al Dhafra become operational as the network expands further.

March 30, 2027

Sharjah Train Station opens, completing the planned passenger route network.

With launch fares starting from just Dh55 and travel times expected to transform journeys across the UAE, it’s no surprise tickets are already selling quickly. If you’re planning to be among the first passengers to experience Etihad Rail, booking sooner rather than later may be your best bet.

Dubai has launched a new initiative aimed at making housing more affordable by allowing tenants greater flexibility in how they pay their rent.

The programme, known as Flexi Rents, was announced by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) on Tuesday and will initially be rolled out through 12 participating real estate companies.

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Under the scheme, tenants will be offered a range of payment options, including monthly rent instalments, extended payment plans of up to 12 months, grace periods and revised payment schedules. In some cases, landlords may also waive rental increases.

Khalid Al Shaibani, Director of the Rental Affairs Section at the DLD, said the initiative was intended to improve housing stability and help residents manage rising living costs.

“The Affordable Rental Initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to promoting housing stability and supporting residents through flexible and accessible rental solutions,” he said.

The programme will be available to both new and existing tenants. Residents currently paying rent through annual or multiple-cheque contracts can request revised payment arrangements from participating landlords and property management companies.

The DLD said some administrative fees associated with delayed cheque payments could also be waived. Tenants will be able to pay using a variety of methods, including credit cards, debit cards and cheques.

Officials said the initiative is expected to expand beyond the initial group of participating companies in the coming phases.

“This is only the beginning,” Mr Al Shaibani said, adding that further measures aimed at enhancing quality of life in Dubai would be announced in the months ahead.

According to DLD figures, nearly 1.2 million tenancy contracts, including new leases and renewals, were recorded in Dubai last year, underlining the scale of the emirate’s rental market.