Get those umbrellas ready, UAE residents! The meteorological department has issued a rain alert for Sunday, February 25, and Monday, February 26, signaling another bout of cloudy skies and wet weather across the nation.

Dr. Ahmed Habib, a senior meteorologist at the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM), has indicated that the northern and eastern regions of the UAE will experience cloudy conditions and varying levels of rainfall on both days. However, Dr. Habib assures that the rainfall won’t be as intense as the downpour witnessed on February 12.

Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and parts of Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah are expected to receive light to moderate rain, while heavy rainfall is anticipated in Fujairah.

Dr. Habib explains, “On Sunday and Monday, the country will be affected by a surface low-pressure system extending from the Southwest, accompanied by an extension of an upper air depression in the atmosphere. Along with this, there will be a westerly trough with different amounts of clouds flowing from the West at different intervals.”

According to the NCM’s alert issued on Thursday, February 22, the weather on Sunday and Monday will range from partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with a possibility of light to moderate rainfall, potentially heavy at times in some northern, eastern, and coastal areas.

Residents, particularly those in mountainous regions, are advised to exercise caution, especially in flood-prone wadis or valleys.

Regarding the possibility of cloud seeding, Dr. Habib mentions that cloud seeding will be conducted if suitable clouds are identified by the NCM’s cloud seeding division. This division routinely monitors convective clouds, which form due to an increase in surface temperature, and dispatches cloud seeding flights based on their moisture content to enhance rainfall across the country.

As for temperatures, while there’s a forecasted decrease, Dr. Habib notes that it won’t be significantly noticeable. Temperatures are expected to rise on Saturday before dipping on Sunday and Monday due to northwesterly winds bringing colder air, particularly affecting western regions, mainly Abu Dhabi.

Additionally, windy conditions, especially in areas where clouds develop, may lead to dust and sandstorms intermittently. The wind is expected to be slight to moderate, occasionally rough, in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.