Snowfall in Jabal Jais, UAE attracts hundreds

DUBAI: Snowfall on the highest mountain of United Arab Emirates, Jabal Jais, has lowered the mercury to below zero centigrade. Subsequently, Ras Al Khaimah's temperature dropped to -2°C Friday morning, attracting hundreds of people from surrounding areas.

According to the National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), there will be a further significant drop in temperatures. In the mountains, temperatures are likely to fall as low as 6°C.

Jabal Jais is almost 175 kilometres away from Dubai, and around 1,934 metres high.

In February 2009, Jabal Jais had around 20 centimetres of snowfall, extending over 5km. The current, extreme cold spell brought the mercury down in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi too.

The NCMS stated the strong winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour, specially over the sea and exposed areas, will cause sand and dust to blow and affect the visibility level in the areas.

Motorists have been cautioned as visibility will be poor due to dust in Dubai and Sharjah.