By GulfInside | UAE | October 21, 2026
Residents heading outdoors on Wednesday may need to keep an eye on changing skies. The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) expects fair to partly cloudy weather, with convective clouds developing over eastern areas and potentially spreading to inland and western parts of the country during the afternoon. Some clouds could bring rain.
Where is rain expected?
Eastern areas have featured prominently in this week’s forecasts. The NCM has also indicated that showers may reach parts of the north and other regions as atmospheric conditions shift. That does not mean every city will receive rain: conditions can vary sharply between neighbourhoods and emirates.
Meteorologist Dr Ahmed Habib told Khaleej Times that moisture moving in from the Arabian Sea was helping sustain unsettled conditions. Small hail was possible in some convective clouds, although the forecast did not suggest a widespread severe hailstorm.
Strong winds and dust
Wednesday’s forecast calls for winds generally around 10–25km/h, occasionally strengthening to 50km/h near cloud activity. Dust kicked up by stronger winds can make driving less comfortable and reduce visibility, particularly on exposed roads.
Temperatures in major cities
Forecast highs were 39°C in Dubai, 38°C in Abu Dhabi and 39°C in Sharjah. Despite the possibility of rain, the weather will therefore remain warm. Humidity may rise overnight, with mist possible in some coastal and inland locations by Thursday morning.
Advice for drivers and families
Check current NCM alerts before a long journey, allow extra time if showers begin and avoid driving into flooded roads or wadis. Outdoor plans should have a sheltered alternative. The forecast is not a report that rain is falling everywhere at publication time.
When rearranging a day out, use our UAE travel checklist and daily itinerary worksheet to record an alternative activity, operator contacts and return transport details.
FAQ
Will it rain in Dubai today?
Rain is possible in parts of the UAE, but the forecast does not guarantee showers in Dubai itself.
How strong could winds get?
Gusts may reach 50km/h around developing clouds.
Is the rainy weather expected to last?
Forecasters have described an unsettled spell through the week, with conditions subject to change.
Sources: Khaleej Times report of the NCM forecast, October 20; NCM meteorologist’s outlook, reported October 20.
