Dubai: The UAE could experience above-average rainfall as the El Niño climate phenomenon intensifies, with the possibility of heavy to exceptionally heavy downpours if the expected rainfall is concentrated over a few days rather than spread across several months.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, said the phenomenon could significantly influence rainfall patterns across the UAE and the wider Arabian Peninsula.
Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.
He explained that the UAE typically receives between 100mm and 120mm of rainfall annually, but El Niño could push precipitation above these levels.The intensity of the rainfall, however, would depend largely on how it is distributed over time.
If the additional rainfall falls within a short period, some areas could experience heavy or exceptionally heavy downpours. If spread over a longer period, the increase might be less noticeable.
Al Jarwan pointed out that rainfall totals in some areas had exceeded 200mm in a single month in previous years, illustrating how precipitation can become concentrated over relatively short periods.
El Niño could reach unprecedented intensity
Al Jarwan said El Niño affects vast regions worldwide, including the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula, making it a phenomenon of considerable international concern.
