Dubai: Temperatures reached sub-zero level over the mountain tops of Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah on Friday morning as the cold winds hit the country.
Videos shared by the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) showed what it called a snowfall in portions of the mountain tops at around 11am on Friday morning as the temperature dropped to -2.2C at the weather station there at 9am.
The beginning of the snowfall over Jais mountain #NCMS station recorded 2.2 below zero at 9 am. pic.twitter.com/f9iQFbPqoS— UAE WEATHER (@NCMS_media) February 3, 2017
The beginning of the snowfall over Jais mountain #NCMS station recorded 2.2 below zero at 9 am. pic.twitter.com/f9iQFbPqoS— UAE WEATHER (@NCMS_media) February 3, 2017
“The beginning of snowfall over Jais mountain #NCMS station recorded 2.2 below zero at 9am,” NCMS tweeted.Long queues of traffic heading to Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah.
The cold air mass affecting the country this weekend is due to a low pressure in south of Iran extending to the UAE and north of Oman. This led to a significant drop in temperatures across the country.
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The surrounding areas in Ras Al Khaimah is expected to have an average temperature of between 18 degree Celsius and 22C. The rest of the country will have below 20C on average.
Below freezing temperatures in Jebel Jais during cold snaps are a common occurrence in the country during winter.
لقطات للأجواء فوق جبل جيس الآن #الوطني_للأرصاد pic.twitter.com/sna3FAAys6— UAE WEATHER (@NCMS_media) February 2, 2017
لقطات للأجواء فوق جبل جيس الآن #الوطني_للأرصاد pic.twitter.com/sna3FAAys6— UAE WEATHER (@NCMS_media) February 2, 2017
The first heavy snowfall in living memory for residents was recorded on the mountain of Ra’alat Al Jais, also in Ras Al Khaimah in December 2004. It spanned an area of 1km.
In January 2012, it snowed again and in January 2009 the mountain had around 20cm of snow extending over 5km. The extreme cold spell brought the mercury down to -3°C on top of the Jebel Jais mountains.A snowman on top of Jebel Jais. Thickness of the snow layer reached 10cm, states National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology.
Meanwhile, exposed areas in the country will be dusty due to north-westerly winds kicking up dust. Wind speeds of 55km/hr at Al Maktoum International Airport was recorded at 11am with almost the same speed at Al Hamra, Al Sweihan, Al Dhafrah and Al Minhad.
Motorists are cautioned as visibility will be poor due to blowing dust. There is possibility of rain in coastal areas. Poor visibility on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot.Large number of people gather at Jebel Jais to witness the snowfall.Members of the UAE Barq’s storm centre show the atmosphere on Jebel Jais.Current condition over Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah.Snowfall over the Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah.
Meanwhile, exposed areas in the country will be dusty due to north-westerly winds kicking up dust. Wind speeds of 55km/hr at Al Maktoum International Airport was recorded at 11am with almost the same speed at Al Hamra, Al Sweihan, Al Dhafrah and Al Minhad.
Motorists are cautioned as visibility will be poor due to blowing dust. There is possibility of rain in coastal areas. Poor visibility on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot.Large number of people gather at Jebel Jais to witness the snowfall.Members of the UAE Barq’s storm centre show the atmosphere on Jebel Jais.Current condition over Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah.Snowfall over the Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah.
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