The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has warned of unstable weather conditions across parts of the UAE until Thursday, with forecasts pointing to rain, thunderstorms and dust storms in some areas.

The unsettled spell is linked to the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) – a belt of low pressure that causes warm, moist air to rise, often resulting in thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and cloudy skies. The ITCZ is currently extending northwards over the Arabian Peninsula, drawing moist air from the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman into the country.

Rain, thunder and rising temperatures

Daytime temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days. However, the NCM said the combination of heat and humidity, particularly over the eastern mountain ranges, will lead to the formation of convective clouds. These clouds are likely to produce rainfall of varying intensity, at times accompanied by lightning and thunder.

The weather activity will primarily affect eastern and southern areas, but may extend into internal regions during the forecast period.

Strong winds and dust

The NCM warned that southeasterly to northeasterly winds will blow across the country, ranging from moderate to fresh, and may become strong in areas experiencing convective cloud activity. These gusts could raise dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility in some parts.

Residents are advised to exercise caution, particularly on roads in areas where dust storms or rainfall reduce visibility.

Sea conditions

Despite the unsettled weather on land, sea conditions in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman are expected to remain slight to moderate, according to the forecast.

Seasonal weather pattern

The ITCZ is a narrow belt of low pressure near the equator where winds from both hemispheres converge, often leading to unstable conditions, thunderstorms, and heavy rain. Its northward extension towards the UAE during the summer months is not unusual, but it can bring short periods of intense weather activity.

The NCM said it would continue to monitor developments and urged the public to follow official updates and avoid spreading unverified weather reports on social media.

Heavy rainfall lashed Mumbai on Tuesday, leading to major disruptions at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Airport authorities confirmed that at least eight flights were diverted between 9am and 9.50am, while departures and arrivals faced average delays of 45 minutes.

According to flight-tracking portal Flightradar, more than 150 departures and over 100 inbound flights were delayed during the day. The downpour also inundated low-lying neighbourhoods, paralysing road traffic and suburban train services, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

Several airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air, issued advisories to passengers, warning of possible delays and urging them to leave early for the airport due to waterlogged access roads. Passengers have been urged to check the status of flights with their respective airline before leaving for the airport.

• IndiGo: “It’s raining steadily in Mumbai, and the persistent weather is beginning to affect flight operations. Due to poor visibility and air traffic congestion, some flights are currently being held. Please be assured, our teams are working closely with air traffic control and will get you moving as soon as conditions allow. Before heading to the airport, please check your flight status on our website or app. Also, do allow some extra travel time; roads are likely to be slow-moving,” the airline said.
• Air India: “Mumbai is experiencing persistent rain, which may affect flight schedules. Check your flight status before you head out, and allow a little extra time for travel,” the airline posted on X (formerly Twitter).
• Akasa Air: Urged passengers to “plan for additional travel time to reach the airport well in time for your flight.”

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Mumbai under a red alert, forecasting extremely heavy showers across the city and adjoining districts, with wind speeds of up to 60 km/h. Over the past 24 hours, several parts of Mumbai recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall.

Authorities announced the closure of government and semi-government offices, while private firms were advised to adopt work-from-home arrangements. Schools and colleges also remained shut.

Airport officials said they are closely coordinating with airlines and Air Traffic Control (ATC) to minimise disruption but warned that further delays and cancellations are possible in the coming days if heavy rains continue.

The UAE is set to experience unstable weather conditions starting Monday, August 18, with the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasting rain, dust-stirring winds, cloud cover and hot conditions over several parts of the country.

The change in weather is due to the impact of a weak surface low-pressure system from the east, combined with a weak low-pressure system in the upper layers of the atmosphere.

Temperatures:

• Maximum: 30°C to 49°C
• Minimum: 25°C to 33°C

Weather forecast

• Monday, August 18
  • Clear to partly cloudy, cloudy at times in eastern and southern areas
  • Chance of light drizzles
  • Winds: Southeasterly to northeasterly, 10–25 km/h, reaching 35 km/h with dust at times
  • Sea: Regular waves in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman
• Tuesday, August 19
  • Partly cloudy, with afternoon cumulus clouds forming in the east, possibly with rain
  • Winds: Southeasterly to northeasterly, 10–25 km/h, reaching 35 km/h with dust
  • Sea: Regular waves in both seas
• Wednesday, August 20
  • Partly cloudy to cloudy overall, with afternoon cumulus clouds and a chance of rain in the east
  • Winds: Southwesterly to northeasterly, 10–25 km/h, reaching 40 km/h with dust
  • Sea: Regular to moderate in the Arabian Gulf, regular in the Sea of Oman
• Thursday, August 21
  • Partly cloudy to cloudy in most areas, with rain expected across large parts of the country
  • Winds: Southeasterly to northeasterly, 10–25 km/h, reaching 40 km/h with dust
  • Sea: Regular to moderate in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman