‘It’s Like Snow’: UAE Residents Chase Ice and Freezing Temperatures in Al Ain and RAK

Chasing Ice on Jebel Jais

Sharjah resident Nizar Ahmed and seven friends hiked up Jebel Jais on Saturday night to catch the coldest moments before sunrise. Starting their trek at 1:00 AM, the group reached the summit by 4:00 AM, where they recorded a temperature of -2.5°C.

Despite the extreme cold, Nizar noted a limited formation of ice compared to previous years. “Last year, there were icicles everywhere because it had rained the night before,” he said. “This year, we saw dew frozen into ice on a plastic sheet, and it looked just like snow.”

Raknah’s Freezing Mornings

Dubai resident Muhammed Sajjad, who runs the popular Instagram account @uaeweatherman, joined a convoy of over 30 cars to visit Raknah in Al Ain early Saturday. The group experienced temperatures as low as 2.9°C, though the frost they had hoped for was fleeting.

“The cold lasted only about five minutes, but we made the most of it,” said Sajjad. The group built a fire to stay warm, dressed in heavy clothing, and embraced the rare chill. Sajjad predicts another temperature dip later this week, coinciding with expected rainfall on Thursday.

Family Adventures at Jebel Yibir

Adventure-loving families also joined in the icy escapades. Sharjah resident Saji Sahadevan and three other families ventured to Jebel Yibir on Saturday morning. They experienced temperatures ranging from zero to one degree Celsius and brought along cooking equipment to make a hearty breakfast.

“We made karak tea and dosa right at the mountaintop,” said Saji. “It was a wonderful experience, and the improved roads made it easy to reach the spot.”

What’s Next for UAE Weather?

While temperatures are expected to rise gradually starting Monday, weather experts forecast a chance of rain on Thursday, which could bring another dip in temperatures. For now, residents continue to enjoy the brief but memorable moments of winter magic in the UAE.