The United Arab Emirates experienced severe unstable weather on Thursday, December 18, 2025, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and strong winds sweeping across multiple emirates, prompting widespread safety alerts, closures, and remote work advisories.
Triggered by a low-pressure system named “Al Bashayer,” convective clouds brought scattered rain of varying intensity, accompanied by thunder and occasional hail. Winds turned moderate to fresh, occasionally gusty, kicking up dust and slashing visibility, while seas grew rough along the coast. A rare tornado-like waterspout was spotted off Ras Al Khaimah, and temperatures plunged, with Jais Mountain recording a chilly 9.2°C early morning.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) warned of severely unstable conditions, particularly in Ras Al Khaimah, noting: “Convective clouds producing rainfall, hail, lightning and thunder. Winds are moderate to fresh, strengthening significantly during storm activity, causing blowing dust and sand and a sharp deterioration in visibility.”
Impacts were felt nationwide, from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah, with flooding on roads, traffic gridlock during rush hours, and disruptions in northern and eastern regions, deserts, mountains, and coastal areas.
Authorities issued urgent safety guidelines: Avoid valleys, flood-prone wadis, beaches, seas, and open deserts; refrain from swimming or marine activities; secure outdoor items; and drive cautiously with reduced speeds. Fines apply for risky behaviors, such as entering flooded valleys (Dh2,000, 23 black points, 60-day vehicle impoundment) or obstructing traffic.
In response:
- Parks closed in Sharjah and Ajman.
- Global Village and Hatta Festival shut down.
- Community events suspended in Abu Dhabi.
- Remote work mandated for Ajman government employees on Friday, with private sector encouraged nationwide.
- Airlines like Emirates, flydubai, and IndiGo advised extra travel time due to delays.
- Delivery services paused in affected zones.
- Emergency teams, including Dubai Civil Defence’s 24/7 operations and extra police patrols, stood ready.
The stormy conditions are forecast to persist through Friday, December 19, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies, more scattered rain, possible hail, and cooler temperatures continuing into the weekend.
Residents are urged to monitor updates from official sources and report emergencies promptly for safety.
