Snow blankets UAE’s highest peak Jebel Jais amid week of severe weather

Snow almost entirely covered Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates, on January 15, 2020, as temperatures hit -1 °C (30.2 °F) during the country's week-long stretch of severe weather, including heavy downpour, hailstorms, and intermittent sunny skies.

The snow fell on the mountain in Ral Al Khaimah emirate on Tuesday night, January 14, and into the early hours of Wednesday, January 15.

According to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), "This is mainly due to an extension of a surface low pressure east and northwards with an extension of surface high pressure westwards accompanied with an extension of upper air ridge."

NCM issued an orange alert warning residents to be on the look-out for dangerous weather conditions in the UAE.

Aside from frigid weather conditions, the UAE was also hit this week with heavy rain, hail, and occasional sunny spell between the showers.

On early Wednesday, storm-like conditions with thunder rumbles have been reported in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.

An NCM official also confirmed that cloud seeding operations were ongoing in the country until January 15. Rough seas and strong winds to 60 km/h (37 mph) are expected over parts of the country.

The weather on Thursday, January 16, is forecast to be fair to partly cloudy in general, NCM added. Residents may expect moderate to fresh southeasterly to southwesterly winds becoming northwesterly from 20 to 30 km/h (12 to 18 mph), reaching 40 km/h (25 mph).

"The sea will be moderate in the Arabian Gulf, and rough becoming moderate by evening in Oman Sea."

Authorities advised people to layer up in anticipation of cooler temperatures. Motorists were also encouraged to take precautions while driving as days of heavy rain have made roads slippery in some areas in the UAE.

Featured image credit: TEAM SARIO/YouTube