UAE weather forecast: What are convective clouds, and why they’re bringing rain to the UAE this week

Dubai: What kinds of clouds can you see in the sky today? If they are convective – puffy, towering shapes – there’s a good chance the clouds are carrying rain, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The NCM forecasts fair to partly cloudy weather today, with a probability of some convective cloud formation eastward and westward by afternoon, associated with rainfall in regions like Fujairah, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.

The NCM shared an educational video yesterday, on the social platform X, highlighting the different shapes of clouds, and what they mean for the day’s weather conditions.

One of the clouds mentioned – convective clouds – form when warm, dense air rises rapidly through cooler surrounding air due to atmospheric buoyancy. You can expect to see these clouds over the next few days in various parts of the UAE, bringing scattered showers to both eastern and western regions, as weather patterns change.

Mid-30 temperatures continue

Meanwhile, the weather continues to remain humid across the UAE, with relative humidity (RH) rising to 90% by by night and Friday morning over some coastal areas, with a probability of fog or mist formation in cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Temperatures are in the mid-30s across the country today.

Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah will peak at 38°C, while Dubai and Umm Al Quwain will reach 37°C today. Ajman will see a high of 36°C, and Fujairah will remain the coolest emirate at 34°C.

Calm seas

The seas along the eastern and western coastlines are calm today, according to the NCM, as both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will see slight conditions, with gentle waves on-shore rising to two feet, and waves off-shore rising to three feet.

Here is the complete breakdown of minimum and maximum temperatures across the Emirates today:

Maximum Temp (°C) Minimum Temp (°C)

Dubai 37°C 29°C

Abu Dhabi 38°C 28°C

Al Ain 39°C 25°C

Sharjah 38°C 25°C

Ajman 36°C 27°C

Fujairah 34°C 27°C

Ras Al Khaimah 38°C 23°C

Umm Al Quwain 37°C 26°C

Liwa 40°C 25°C