Light rain sweeps across Abu Dhabi and Dubai as winter chill sets in

Parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai woke up to a dramatic change in the weather Wednesday morning as light rain showers swept across the cities, signaling the arrival of the UAE's winter season.

The shift in weather was felt first thing, with residents greeted by overcast skies and rain reported at key locations, including Dubai International Airport, Al Rashidiya, and along the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. By 7 a.m., the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirmed light showers, and the rain continued to fall in parts of the capital throughout the morning.

As the UAE gears up for a cooler period, the NCM has forecast foggy conditions persisting until Sunday, with additional light rainfall expected over the weekend.

The winter season in the UAE, typically marking its arrival in December, is bringing more than just clouds; temperatures are dipping across the country.

According to the NCM’s latest five-day forecast, Dubai will see daytime temperatures ranging from 23ºC to 26ºC, while Abu Dhabi's mercury is expected to hover between 24ºC and 25ºC.

Cooler evenings will follow suit, with temperatures in both cities dipping below 20ºC until at least Sunday. In Dubai, temperatures could even fall as low as 16ºC on Friday night.