UAE residents wake up to surprise August rain

UAE residents woke up to surprise rain and thunder on Sunday morning, with cloudy weather set to continue for the week.

The stormy weather caught most residents in Dubai and the Northern Emirates by surprise early on Sunday, with many shocked at the wet weather in the midst of summer.

Residents took to social networking site Twitter to voice their surprise.

Forecasters said the weather is likely to continue for at least two days.

"It is unusual for this season. During the last three decades, there have been some cases like this. But not that many," a forecaster was quoted as saying by UAE newspaper The National.

The forecaster warned people to take care while driving due to reduced visibility, adding that a severe weather warning has been issued in coastal areas.

"The unstable weather will improve gradually, but still there's some chance for rain particularly in the northern part of the country and in the east," he said.

"I can't say if there will be more rain over Dubai, but the possibility is there."