Hail and heavy rain sweep across UAE, turning desert white
By Dubai Currents Staff2 min read
Thunderstorms and hail swept across parts of the UAE on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and a dramatic shift in the weather over Dubai and Sharjah as dark clouds gathered.
The unstable conditions produced a mix of intense showers, thunder and lightning, transforming familiar streets and desert landscapes into scenes of raw nature.
Hail in Sharjah and Dubai
In some areas, hailstones bounced off the ground, adding an icy element to the downpour and offering residents a rare look at the UAE’s more extreme winter weather.
A video shared by Storm AE showed hailstones pelting camels in Sharjah, scattering across the sandy ground around the animals as the shower moved through the desert. The camels remained standing as the tiny ice pellets fell, their sharp patter audible above the rain. Against the desert backdrop, the unusual sight created a striking contrast typical of a rainy day in the UAE.
In another video, hailstones were heard rattling against surfaces in Dubai’s Al Heyab area, their steady tapping distinct as the rain continued. The brief shower offered another sign of the unsettled weather affecting parts of the country.
Hail was also reported in parts of Al Madam, Sharjah, where small ice pellets fell across the sandy landscape, creating an unusual sight. Cars continued along the highway as hailstones scattered across the road, while the showers brought a welcome spell of cooler temperatures. Some residents took the opportunity to step outside, enjoy the fresh air and appreciate the break from the usual heat.
The wintry-looking shower against the UAE’s desert backdrop provided a vivid glimpse of the unstable weather sweeping across the country.
In a video shared by Storm Centre, heavy rain cascaded across the area as thunder rolled overhead and lightning streaked across the sky.
El Niño influence expected to persist
Earlier this year, NCM meteorologist Ahmed Habib told Khaleej Times that El Niño’s influence on the UAE could become more noticeable in autumn, particularly during October and November.
“From autumn, particularly in October and November, El Niño’s effect will be felt over our region. At present, during the summer season, its influence is stronger in East Asia than in West Asia,” Habib said.
The recent spell of unsettled weather across the UAE comes as the phenomenon’s influence is expected to grow.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has warned that the UAE could see above-average rainfall in the coming months, as El Niño is expected to persist into early 2027.
The phenomenon is forecast to peak in October and November 2026, with the Niño 3.4 index reaching approximately +3°C, indicating a very strong event.
However, El Niño does not automatically mean the UAE will experience extreme rainfall, thunderstorms or flooding. Its effects vary by region and season and depend on other local weather systems.
The NCM has also dismissed viral social media claims directly linking El Niño to severe flooding and unusually heavy rainfall, urging residents to rely on official forecasts and weather warnings.
