UAE rain LIVE: Orange alert issued as unstable weather peaks today.

An orange alert was issued on Thursday as heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed the UAE. While many residents didn’t have to leave home for work today, some woke up early in the morning as downpours and strong winds struck their neighbourhoods. In the north, waterfalls gushed out as dark rain clouds hovered over the mountains.

Over the past few days, the UAE has been preparing for this wave of unstable weather, which is forecast to peak today, May 2, until tomorrow, May 3. Safety advisories have been issued across sectors. Schools are on distance learning, while companies are urged to let employees work from home. Parks and beaches have been closed. Airports and airlines are bracing for the impact, too.

Heavy rains have been pounding the country since midnight, with Dubai seeing showers and lightning as early as 2.35am, according to alerts issued by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

While these rains are expected to be less severe than the unprecedented downpour that hit the country earlier this month, the public is urged to take precautions.

With teams on the ground and all hands on deck, Khaleej Times brings you the latest weather updates here:

8.49am: Follow all guidelines

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority reiterated its warning for the public:

8.30am: What today’s weather will look like

To give the public an overview, the NCM has shared a visual of the weather wave that will sweep across the country today. Take note of the time stamps on the right bottom corner of the video:

8.06am: If you must drive in the rain …

KT Photo: Shihab

While it is best to stay home during this time, those who really need to step out are advised to be extra careful. The Dubai Police share six safety tips for drivers:

7.55am: Howling winds wake residents up

UAE residents had an uneasy sleep as strong winds and torrential rain battered most parts of the country between 2am and 4am on Thursday.

Some trees, trash bins and billboards fell due to strong winds but there was no recorded flooding in Dubai South as at 6.30 am on Thursday.

Read the full report here.

7am: Heads up, Abu Dhabi motorists!

Speed limits have been reduced to 100kmph on major roads in the UAE Capital:

• ⁩Maktoum Bin Rashid road (Abu Dhabi-Dubai)
• Al Ain-Dubai Road
• Maktoum Bin Rashid road, Abu Dhabi-Dubai (Al Mafraq – Rawdat Al Reef)
• Abu Dhabi – Al Ain road (Al Mahawi – Al Sad)
• Shk. Tahnoon Bin Mohammed road ( Al Saja – Masakin )
• Abu Dhabi – Al Ain road ( Complex Bridges – Al Wathbah )
• Shk. Zayed Bin Sultan road (Shk. Zayed Bridge – Al Bahyah )
• Shk. Khalifa Bin Zayed road (Yas – Al Saadiyat)
• Al Khaleej Al Arabi road (Musaffah Bridge – Abu Dhabi )
• Shk. Khalifa Bin Zayed Intl. road, Abu Dhabi – Al Ghwaifat (Al Nof Bridge- Al Ghwaifat)

6.30am: Brace for ‘hazardous weather’

The NCM raised an orange warning for nearly all areas in the country, forecasting hazardous weather events until 8pm tonight.

Here are the affected areas:

5am: Scenes at UAE landmarks, mountains

Early in the morning, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa had been enveloped by thick clouds as Downtown saw rain accompanied by lightning strikes.