Weather tracker: Thunderstorms drench UAE and Saudi Arabia

Why it matters

An unusual weather pattern unleashed severe thunderstorms across parts of the Middle East last week, battering countries including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Key takeaways

• A weather station on Jebel Yanas in northern UAE recorded 244mm of rainfall, with many others exceeding 100mm in just a few days, far surpassing typical annual totals of 60-100mm.
• Rainfall totals could reach 100mm in places on Tuesday and Wednesday, raising the risk of flooding, while 60-80mph gusts may affect parts of northern Africa, including Libya, which was hit by Storm Samuel, a similar system, this month.
• While thunderstorms are not rare in the region – Dubai endured extreme flooding from a storm system in April 2024 – the multiday nature of last week’s deluge is more commonly seen in the US and central Europe in spring and summer.
• Gusts of up to 80mph, large hail and intense lightning were reported, as heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding.