Last week, on Tuesday, the UAE experienced an extraordinary weather event, with rainfall exceeding 100 mm within 24 hours in multiple locations. This resulted in widespread flooding, impacting highways, homes, and critical infrastructure across the country. In fact, some areas recorded over 200 mm of rain, marking the most significant rainfall event in the past 75 years.

Dr Ahmed Habib from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) shared insights on this historic event. He mentioned that in his three decades of experience, including over 22 years in the UAE and ten years in Egypt, he had never witnessed such a situation before. The sheer magnitude and geographic spread of the rainfall were unparalleled.

Despite the challenges in predicting such extreme weather events accurately, Dr Habib explained the methods used by the Met department. They employ various models and numerical weather predictions to forecast conditions both at the surface and in the upper atmosphere. This includes monitoring pressure systems, wind movements, and data from UAE and neighboring countries.

While there are no indications of a similar event in the near future, Dr Habib emphasized the need for deeper studies to understand the causes and potential impacts, including the role of global warming.

He also cautioned against misinformation, urging people to rely on official government sources for weather updates rather than non-specialist sources on the internet.

So, while we marvel at the power of nature and the advancements in meteorological forecasting, let's also stay informed and prepared for whatever weather surprises might come our way in the future.