Thursday 29 October 2026 brings a mixed weather picture across the United Arab Emirates. The National Centre of Meteorology forecast describes fair to partly cloudy skies for much of the day. Convective cloud formation could, for instance, develop in northern and eastern areas. Rain may follow in some places, for example, as those clouds build. Residents and visitors should plan for changeable conditions rather than a single settled pattern.
Khaleej Times, Gulf News and Emirates 24/7 all also reported the National Centre of Meteorology forecast for today. Each outlet presented the same broad picture in slightly different detail. City temperature figures, in fact, varied a little between reports. This guide keeps those figures separate and labels each source clearly. Readers can compare the tables later in this article and see where the numbers differ.
This guide explains where rain could fall and how strong the wind may become. It also sets out temperature ranges, the five-day outlook and the reason behind the unsettled spell. Practical guidance covers driving, outdoor plans, work routines and sea safety in general terms. Yesterday can be compared with today through the UAE weather update for 28 October. The earlier UAE weather guide gives wider background on changeable autumn conditions in the Emirates.
What does the NCM forecast say for Thursday 29 October 2026?
Fair to partly cloudy skies form the main headline for Thursday 29 October 2026. The National Centre of Meteorology forecast also points to cloud growth in northern and eastern parts of the country. Some of that cloud could extend over internal areas during the day. Rainfall may, for example, accompany the cloud where it develops most strongly. Conditions will not stay identical in every emirate at every hour.
Humidity rises by night and into Friday morning over some coastal and internal areas. Western areas face, in fact, the highest chance of mist in that overnight period. Mist can reduce visibility for early travellers on Friday morning. Drivers should allow extra time if mist forms near their route. The forecast does not, however, promise mist in every coastal or internal location. It describes a probability, so some places may stay clear while others turn misty.
What wind speeds are expected during the day?
Light to moderate winds blow from the south-east to the north-east during the day. Speeds generally sit between 10 and 25 kilometres per hour in the Khaleej Times summary. Fresh to strong gusts can arrive at times when cloud activity increases. Those gusts may, in fact, reach 50 kilometres per hour in the strongest spells. Blowing dust can also accompany the stronger gusts in exposed areas. People spending time outdoors should expect sudden changes in wind strength.
The sea stays slight in the Arabian Gulf and in the Sea of Oman today. That rating points to generally calm conditions for coastal waters. Small craft users still need care when cloud and wind strengthen locally. A slight sea does not remove every risk near the shore.
- Fair to partly cloudy skies across much of the UAE
- Convective cloud growth in northern and eastern areas
- Rainfall possible where cloud extends over internal areas
- Humid overnight conditions with mist possible in western areas
Where could rain fall in the UAE today?
Northern and eastern areas sit at the centre of the rainfall forecast today. Gulf News described convective clouds over those areas, possibly extending inland. Rain could, for example, follow where cloud growth becomes strongest. Internal areas may also see cloud spreading from the north and east. No single emirate carries the whole rainfall picture on its own. Local conditions will decide whether a particular neighbourhood sees rain or stays dry.
Wednesday 28 October 2026 brought changing conditions around Kalba and Masafi. Hail fell, for instance, in Wadi Shees in Khor Fakkan and in Wadi Al Helo in Sharjah. Emirates 24/7 reported those events from National Centre of Meteorology information for 28 October. That account belongs firmly to yesterday and to those named places. Emirates 24/7, reporting the National Centre of Meteorology, said those areas could, in fact, expect convective cloud cover again today. The same report described a high chance of rainfall and hail in those areas today. Readers should treat that wording as a forecast for 29 October. It is not a report that hail has already fallen today.
Convective clouds form when warm air near the ground rises and cools. Moisture in that rising air can, for instance, condense into tall cloud towers. Showers may develop quickly from such cloud, then fade as the cloud weakens. For example, one area can receive a sharp shower while a nearby area stays dry. General guidance suggests keeping plans flexible when convective cloud is forecast.
How strong will the wind be and will dust affect travel?
Khaleej Times summarised the wind as light to moderate, at 10 to 25 kilometres per hour. Fresh to strong gusts could arrive at times with cloud activity. Those gusts could, however, reach 50 kilometres per hour in the strongest spells. Blowing dust may also accompany stronger gusts in exposed areas. Gulf News gave separate figures for different parts of the country. Coastal areas could see winds reaching 35 kilometres per hour. Inland areas could see winds reaching 45 kilometres per hour. Mountainous areas could see winds reaching 50 kilometres per hour.
At the same time, Emirates 24/7 reported a similar pattern with its own wind figures. Light to moderate winds of 10 to 25 kilometres per hour form the general picture. Coastal areas and islands could see gusts up to 35 kilometres per hour. Internal areas could see gusts up to 45 kilometres per hour. Gusts can stir dust and reduce visibility in open areas.
Road and rail journeys need extra care when dust and gusts arrive together. Drivers can check current road conditions before setting out on a longer trip. Temporary road changes can affect familiar routes at short notice. Readers can, for example, review the E611 closures and autonomous taxi tests for one recent example of changing road arrangements. Rail travellers can consult the Etihad Rail passenger trains guide between Abu Dhabi and Dubai for journey planning. Meanwhile, flight passengers should allow time for possible disruption and check with their airline.
What will temperatures feel like across the Emirates today?
Khaleej Times reported separate maximum and minimum figures for three cities. Dubai could, for instance, reach 36 degrees and fall to 27 degrees. Abu Dhabi could reach 35 degrees and fall to 26 degrees. Sharjah could reach 36 degrees and fall to 24 degrees. Those figures appear in the Khaleej Times table below. Readers should note the source label before comparing any figure with another table.
| City | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 36 | 27 |
| Abu Dhabi | 35 | 26 |
| Sharjah | 36 | 24 |
How do the wider city figures compare?
Emirates 24/7 reported, in contrast, a wider city table with slightly different figures. Dubai could reach 37 degrees and fall to 27 degrees in that report. Similarly, Abu Dhabi could reach 35 degrees and fall to 25 degrees in that report. Sharjah could reach 37 degrees and fall to 24 degrees in that report. In contrast, Fujairah looked cooler, with a maximum of 30 degrees and a minimum of 26 degrees. Ras Al Khaimah could reach 36 degrees and fall to 22 degrees.
| City | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 37 | 27 |
| Abu Dhabi | 35 | 25 |
| Al Ain | 35 | 25 |
| Sharjah | 37 | 24 |
| Ajman | 36 | 27 |
| Fujairah | 30 | 26 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 36 | 22 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 35 | 22 |
| Liwa | 36 | 22 |
What ranges apply to each region?
Gulf News reported temperature ranges for broader regions rather than single cities. In particular, inland areas could sit between 35 and 39 degrees. Coastal areas and islands could sit between 33 and 37 degrees. Mountain areas could sit between 26 and 32 degrees. Those ranges appear in the Gulf News table below. They describe regional spans, not the expected temperature in one exact place.
| Region | Range |
|---|---|
| Inland | 35-39 |
| Coast and islands | 33-37 |
| Mountains | 26-32 |
Emirates 24/7 reported, in particular, relative humidity dropping, with peaks of 70 percent in Dubai and 60 percent in Sharjah. General advice suggests drinking water regularly and seeking shade during the warmest part of the day. Light clothing and regular breaks help during outdoor work in warm conditions. However, heat advice should never replace checking the forecast for rain, wind and mist on the same day.
How does the five-day outlook to Monday 2 November look?
Gulf News described five days of unsettled weather, with rainfall chances continuing until Monday 2 November. Fair to partly cloudy skies remain the broad pattern across that period. Convective cloud could, for instance, develop on several days, mainly in eastern areas. Winds could reach 40 kilometres per hour from Friday to Monday. The sea stays slight in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman throughout the five-day period.
Friday brings fair to partly cloudy skies, with convective cloud and rainfall in eastern areas. Winds could reach 40 kilometres per hour on Friday. Humidity rises overnight into Saturday morning, with mist possible in western areas. Saturday indeed follows a similar pattern, with possible showers in eastern areas. Winds could again reach 40 kilometres per hour on Saturday.
Sunday 1 November brings convective cloud development, with possible rainfall in eastern areas. Humidity rises overnight into Monday morning. Fog or mist could, in particular, form over some coastal and inland regions. Monday 2 November keeps the unsettled pattern, with a chance of rainfall in eastern areas. Fog or mist could form overnight into Tuesday morning. In addition, readers planning a break can check the next public holiday in the UAE alongside the longer outlook.
Similarly, travel plans benefit from an early check and a backup option. Finally, official updates give the clearest picture as each day approaches.
What caused this unsettled spell of weather?
Gulf News attributed the unsettled spell to an extension of a surface low-pressure system. That system arrived with an upper-air low-pressure system. Together, the two systems support cloud growth and unsettled conditions. The report linked that pattern to rainfall chances across the five-day period. No further detail about the systems appeared in the sources checked today.
Low-pressure systems often bring rising air and increased cloud. Rising air, in fact, cools as it moves higher in the atmosphere. Cooling can lead to condensation, cloud formation and showers in general terms. As a result, low pressure often links with changeable weather rather than settled sunshine. Each system differs in strength, size and movement, so general patterns never guarantee local outcomes.
Upper-air conditions can add lift to surface weather patterns. Extra lift can help cloud towers grow taller and last longer. Moist air near the ground supplies the water vapour for cloud and rain. When lift, moisture and warmth combine, convective showers become more likely in general terms.
How can drivers stay safe in dust, mist and sudden rain?
The guidance in this section is general advice for drivers. It is not part of the National Centre of Meteorology forecast. General advice below helps drivers turn those facts into safer choices.
Reduce speed early when dust, mist or rain reduces visibility. Keep a larger gap to the vehicle ahead than usual. Use dipped headlights in poor visibility, following local road rules. Avoid sudden braking unless a hazard makes braking necessary. Smooth steering and gentle braking, in particular, help tyres keep grip on a wet road. If visibility falls sharply, consider stopping safely away from moving traffic.
- Check wipers and lights before a journey
- Clear windows and mirrors fully before moving
- Keep washer fluid topped up for dusty conditions
- Plan extra time for misty morning journeys
Drivers should never drive through deep standing water of unknown depth. Turn around and find a safer route when water covers the road ahead. Drivers who want to review past penalties can use the RTA fine check by plate number after reaching their destination. Safe arrival matters more than keeping to an original timetable on a changeable day.
What should beach visitors and boat users keep in mind?
The sea stays slight in the Arabian Gulf and in the Sea of Oman today. Gulf News also reported slight sea conditions throughout the five-day period. Emirates 24/7 reported wave heights of up to two feet on shore and up to three feet off shore. Those heights apply to both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman in that report. Slight sea conditions can still change locally when cloud and wind strengthen.
General sea safety advice suggests checking local conditions before entering the water. Swimmers should, for instance, use designated areas and stay aware of changing wind. Boat users should check forecasts, fuel, safety equipment and local guidance before departure. Small craft need particular care when gusts arrive with cloud.
Separately, and unrelated to the weather forecast, readers can follow the beach closures after the oil spill affecting parts of Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Frequently asked questions about UAE weather today?
Will it rain in Dubai today?
Rain remains possible rather than certain in the forecast for today. Convective cloud could, in fact, develop in northern and eastern areas and extend over internal areas. Dubai sits within the wider forecast area, so local cloud growth matters.
Will mist affect Friday morning travel?
Mist remains possible on Friday morning, especially in western areas. In particular, humidity rises overnight into Friday morning over some coastal and internal areas. Early travellers should allow extra time and check visibility before leaving.
How strong will the wind be today?
Winds stay light to moderate for much of the day, at 10 to 25 kilometres per hour. Fresh to strong gusts could reach 50 kilometres per hour with cloud activity. Coastal winds could reach 35 kilometres per hour. Inland winds could reach 45 kilometres per hour. Mountainous winds could reach 50 kilometres per hour. Dust may, in fact, accompany stronger gusts in exposed areas.
What temperatures are expected across the UAE today?
City figures differ slightly between the Khaleej Times and Emirates 24/7 tables in this guide. Dubai highs sit at 36 or 37 degrees, depending on the table consulted. Inland areas sit between 35 and 39 degrees in the Gulf News ranges. Mountain areas sit between 26 and 32 degrees in the same ranges.
Will unsettled weather continue until Monday 2 November?
Gulf News described rainfall chances continuing until Monday 2 November. Eastern areas carry, in particular, the main chance of rain across the five-day period. Friday to Monday winds could reach 40 kilometres per hour.
Is the sea safe for swimming and boating today?
The sea stays slight in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman today. General advice suggests checking local conditions before swimming or boating. Wind and cloud can change local sea conditions during the day. Boat users should check forecasts and safety equipment before departure.
