Residents alerted as cold spell continues in UAE

Bitter, wintry weather conditions continue to clamp down on evening outdoor activities as forecasters warn of serious risk in weekend sea trips and desert camping in the current freezing and windy spell across the emirates. The weather is likely to improve but not to safe levels for such activities, said a forecaster. Conditions, especially at night, have been forcing people to wear warm clothes or stay indoors, particularly in Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, some mountainous areas, and other cities. Conditions deteriorate at night when temperatures fall below the mean levels for the month. "The conditions would continue, at least, for the next 48 hours with partly cloudy to rather cloudy weather in general during the daytime and cold by night," said the expert. There could be fog in some coastal and inland areas today and tonight as humidity is likely to increase, according to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS). The daytime temperature is rising slightly, especially in the western areas. "This means mild conditions are returning but gradually and slowly," said the forecaster. The weather will be fair in general to partly cloudy at times. The NCMS said moderate winds will be blowing today across the country but that they could get stronger by the afternoon. Temperatures are likely to be around 12 to 16 degree Celsius in the coastal areas, 6C to 20C inland, and 2C to 8C in the mountainous areas. The current unstable weather system has resulted in some isolated rain, particularly in the north of the country. The NCMS, however, said is expected no rain anywhere in the country over the next 24 hours. Motorists have also been asked to be cautious on the roads, particularly late in the night and early in the morning. Safety advice The Jebel Al Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE’s highest mountain, is covered in snow amid a sub-zero drop in temperature. A team from the Department of the Air Wing at the General Headquarters of Ras Al Khaimah Police, led by Major Saeed Rashid Al Yamahi, head of the department, toured the peak. He added that the frost is caused by cold northern winds laden with rain clouds. Al Yamahi urged tourists and those on trekking to the mountain to exercise caution, especially when faced with variable weather conditions.