A safety warning was delivered to people in Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon as dust storms hampered visibility for a second day in a row.
The National Centre of Meteorology urged people in parts of the capital worst hit by the thick haze to be "extremely vigilant" until at least 8pm.
It issued a red alert for parts of the capital, forecasting "weather events of exceptional severity".
A yellow notice was placed on large parts of the emirate, as well as Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
This called for members of the public to remain on alert over "hazardous weather" caused by the dusty skies.
Winds of up to 40 kilometres per hour have kicked up sand and dust which has clung in the air, obscuring city skylines and making for challenging driving conditions.
Earlier, the NCM said rain forecast for across the UAE this week would not be as severe as had been predicted.
The NCM said on Sunday that the low-pressure weather system expected to affect the country has become less severe.
But some areas of the country will experience heavy downpours, weather officials said.
The centre gave the update in a daily co-ordination meeting between branches of the authorities.
It said the latest data indicated the pressure system was moving south, meaning that its impact on the country is set to be more limited.
The NCM said there is the possibility of light to moderate rainfall in many areas, heavy rainfall across the east — including Al Ain — and northern parts of the country, plus the Al Dhafra region in the west.
It said there will be moderate south-easterly winds carrying dust.
Authorities said they were prepared for possible scenarios and changes.
The Dusty conditions will continue for the coming days, with strong winds persisting.
Rain is also expected to cause a drop in temperatures in the second part of the week.
“Partly cloudy to cloudy and dusty at times, with a chance of convective clouds formation eastward and southward by afternoon, associated with rainfall. Light to moderate winds, freshening at times causing blowing and suspended dust and sand,” the NCM said in its forecast for Monday.
A similar forecast has been issued for every day this week, with a drop in temperatures expected on Thursday and Friday.
Source: The National
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