Is UAE Not Ready for Real Stormy Weather?

Sheikh Zayed Road 8th April Dusty Rainy Weather Conditions.  Photo Copyrighted@HassanAlJabri

You may wonder why there is so much of talk, warnings and news in UAE about coming weather conditions or what  has already been happened in the last days of stormy weather, which in my opinion for a very long time, the UAE never experienced a real bad weather. 

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Al Raha - Abu Dhabi, Cloudy Day.  Photo Copyrighted@HassanAlJabri

Back in June 2007 the super sonic cyclone Gonu, affected only one part of UAE and that is in Fujairah. Read more from Encyclopedia. Where as Oman was badly hit as it was near the main path, but mind you it was not under the eye of the storm, as for UAE it was like just minor of the path of the storm.   How about if it was under the eye of the cyclone Gonu.  God Help us all. 

Al Rashidiya, Opposite Airport Road Dubai, Nov 2012 heavy Rain.
Photo Copyrighted @HassanAlJabri

Take example of the last week 5th-7th April 2013, "stormy weather" as branded by the local news here in UAE. But for me it was nothing, as I monitor each day from more than 5 online news weather channels, and it was just a minor path of the main eye of the bad weather, which was much affected Iran and Pakistan coastal areas. The heavy cloudy conditions started around the Gulf sea and it was like on and off formation where the main path of the storm was near the coastal area of Iran upto the mainland near the city of Sherazi. 

In short, what we have witnessed it was nothing other than just a high wind, light rain with minor heavy in few seconds only, dusty air and light thunderstorms here and there.  And what happen?

First: 
Let's see the people who live in this part of UAE, for those who lived for long time, may never used to such weather as result very rare to take any precautions  or do anything other than just let it be.

Mamzar Beach Dubai on Rainy Day.  Photo copyrighted@HassanAlJabri

Second: 
Drivers; what's wrong with those who drive so fast in wet condition? are they are out of their mind?.  Do I have to feel sorry when they already overtake me with vrooom!! speed and left my windshield with wet dusty mud like dirt, to find them pile up in accident after few minutes ahead and I pass them with my caution speed, cio, byeee.....

I was really surprised next day to hear from the radio while driving along the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, the number of accidents reported in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other Emirates. Come on people, it was just a minor and a tail of the storm that was passed over the UAE on 7-8th April 13, what about if it was the eye of the storm?

Low cloud passing along Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai.  Photo copyrighted @HassanAlJabri

Third: 
Streets drainage, cannot handle even the rain from the tail of the storm, what about if it was from the eye of the storm? I think we will travel by boat along the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai and other parts of the city streets of the UAE. 

As experienced observer of the weather predictions, I find hard to believe why UAE suffer much of the reported accidents and flooded streets just from a such weather.  I said again, UAE for a long time not experienced a very bad weather, from all observations  I have done for the last 15 years, all I witnessed was just normal conditions to a bit of high alerts one.  

Low passing Cloud - Dubai. Photo copyrighted@HassanAlJabri

Sure we pray to God, not ever to witness such weather in the future but what if will happen? Are we ready for it? If those empty headed drivers during the rain drive like crazy, how they will coupe up with severe weather? I think we need to prison them for the day or two for their own safety and others.

Also I find out there is no tendency of warning in advance about coming weather here in UAE from the local weather organizations or from the news, all you will hear just one day before it happen.  I remember I monitored Cyclone GONU back in 2007 from 26th May 2007 and I warned my friends I work to watch for that particular cyclone, then only on 31 May and 1st June was all over the news.

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Hassan Al Jabri
UAE Weather Watcher

"Excellence in Motion"

Rains fill up more than 50 dams in UAE

The above heading from one of the well known news paper in UAE based in Dubai catch my attention. 

Why?

Dubai Weather in March  - copyrighted photo @Hassan Al Jabri

Well, we are still in summer, or just enter the end of it, end of August and September is like fall before winter in United Arab Emirates, but hey, we do not have fall here.  Anyway back to rain that filled more than 50 dams in UAE, but from where, and how come, rain in August and September? No way, during this time rain is very less to zero. 

What I'm trying to point out is that, anything is possible, though I was surprised but at the same time I appreciate the unique nature in action that we witnessed this year in UAE. And yes, indeed what a blessing such heavy rainfall to receive between August 29 - Sept 15, that is a bit strange time for rainfall in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and other cities in the UAE. Quote from article -

"According to meteorologists, August and September are among the driest months of the year. The winter season, from January to April, witnesses the heaviest rainfall."

Clouds forming above the city of Khorfkhan - UAE. Photo by Fahem Al Obathani

We use to monitor weather in UAE almost everyday, from more than five online live weather channels but not a single one predicted about rain and even the UAE National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology saw it coming or at least mentioned one day before.

That's why we Muslim using word "Insha'Allah" meaning 'God's willing" You can find more info from here. When we predict weather, promise something to happen in the future and so on.  Unfortunately, some Muslims abuse this word just to get excuse or to avoid compromise to fulfill a promise, so they will just say "Insha'Allah" without making a true promise, as result many non Muslim when they hear someone say this word in their conversation, they are like not taking seriously. 

Anyway, back to the weather phenomenon that happen recently in UAE during the end Aug and early Sept. 2012, indeed it was a blessing, as this part of the world very rare to receive such rains.  So no matter how science is close to predict the weather accurately there is a always surprises awaits us, can be a good one or a bad one, in this case is a good one that fills about 50 dams in UAE.

Hopefully more UAE will receive more rain this year 2012 and early next year 2013, as 2010/11 was not that good - too dry. 

Thanks for reading,  more article from---> Gulf News

Hassan 
Learn more about Dubai - UAE Weather