Up to 200mm in April 2024 vs 80mm now: UAE's NCM breaks down key differences
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest updates as the UAE deals with heavy rains and unstable weather conditions.]
It may have felt severe, but the UAE’s latest downpour was not on the same scale as the historic 2024 floods — and the difference lies in both how much rain fell, and how fast. Despite widespread flooding and disruption, the latest round of rain across the UAE is significantly less intense than the 2024 storm, according to meteorologists.
Dr Ahmad Habib said the key distinction lies in rainfall intensity and distribution over time.
“In 2024, some areas recorded more than 200mm of rain in less than a day,” he said. “That is very different from what we are seeing now.” By comparison, the latest system brought around 80mm in some areas, with rainfall spread over several days in multiple waves.
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Latest rainfall figures
According to NCM data for March 26:
Shoukah: 77.5mm
Kalba: 65.8mm
Umm Al Gaf: 60.6mm
Wadi Al Tuwa: 57.2mm
Al Dhaid: 53.9mm
“These are significant amounts, but they are not comparable to a single-day event exceeding 200mm,” Dr Habib said.
Why timing matters
Experts say flooding risk is not only about how much rain falls — but how quickly it falls.
“There is a big difference between 200mm in one day and similar totals spread over five or six days,” Dr Habib explained.
“When rain falls in a short period, the system cannot absorb or drain it efficiently, which leads to more severe flooding.”
Different systems, different impacts
He added that the structure of the weather system itself also differed.
“The 2024 event was a single, very intense system,” he said. “What we are seeing now is a series of waves within a broader low-pressure system.”
‘Not a tornado’ - experts dismiss viral claims
Dr Habib also addressed misinformation circulating online, where some described the storm as a “tornado” or “cyclone”.
“No specialist would describe this as a tornado,” he said.
He explained that tornadoes involve:
Sustained, destructive wind speeds
Structural damage such as uprooted trees
Continuous high-intensity winds
He warned that such claims often come from non-specialists seeking attention, stressing that official forecasts rely on detailed modelling and analysis.
