Hundreds of residents drove to Mleiha on Saturday to chase rain during the UAE summer. Many spent hours on the road hoping to see a storm.
The trip soon turned into a dramatic afternoon as heavy rain, thunder and hail hit areas near Mahafiz Junction.
As the storm grew stronger, dark clouds covered the sky. Visibility fell on the roads. Hail struck cars and bounced across the ground. Large groups gathered at different points to watch the storm and record videos.
Many people had not planned to be in Mleiha by chance. They had followed weather updates and cloud movements before leaving home. Families and groups of friends spent hours driving from one place to another in the hope of finding rain.
Sajjad, who is known as UAE Weatherman, said rain chasing can take five to seven hours. Some trips can also cover more than 150km.
Rain chasing is different from a normal road trip. There is often no fixed destination. People decide where to go based on the movement of clouds. Their route can change several times during the same trip.
For many residents, the chase has become a way to enjoy a rare summer weather event.
Dubai resident Sami Shaad travelled to Mleiha with his family after seeing dark clouds in the area on a weather radar app. The family knew they might arrive after the rain had passed. Still, they decided to make the trip.
They left an area with very different weather conditions. By the time they reached Mleiha, they found heavy rain, thunder and hail.
Sami said the experience was especially exciting for his children. They had never seen such weather during the UAE summer.
The family was happy that the long drive had paid off.
Another rain chaser, Abdullah Al Ahli from Khawaneej, said he often goes out with friends when weather updates show a good chance of rain.
The group does not set one fixed destination. Instead, they change their route as the clouds move.
Sometimes the group drives for more than an hour only to find that the rain has already stopped. This means timing plays a major role.
Abdullah said there is always an element of luck in rain chasing. The aim is simply to follow the rain and reach the storm before it moves away.
Sajjad said he usually goes rain chasing more than once a week between March and November. This is the period when rain is more likely across parts of the UAE.
However, spending several hours on the road does not always lead to a storm.
Rain chasers may travel long distances and still return without seeing rain. Clouds can change direction or lose strength before they reach the area where people are waiting.
The Mleiha storm on Saturday gave many residents the experience they had hoped for. Heavy rain, thunder and hail created a striking scene in the summer heat.
For the people who made the long drive, the sudden change in weather made the journey worthwhile.
Rain chasing has become a growing outdoor activity for some UAE residents. It combines weather watching, road trips and the excitement of seeing storms in a country known for its dry summer conditions.
But the changing weather also means plans can never be certain. For rain chasers, the journey itself is part of the experience. The final destination depends on where the clouds go.
