UAE Weather Forecast; All Dubai Private and Public Schools to Close; Public Schools Across the UAE Shut Gates; Storms Sweep across UAE

Latest Developments: Schools Switch to Distance Learning Confirmed

Following our going to press, the Emirates School Foundation has confirmed that all public schools in the UAE will move to distance learning for Tuesday (April 16) and Wednesday (April 17) – and the KHDA, following the instruction from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has instructed all Dubai private schools to close and switch to remote learning on Tuesday, April 16.

Ras Al Khaimah was the first emirate in the UAE to make the decision to close government owned schools. In Dubai all public and private schools will close.

“Due to upcoming weather conditions, we have instructed all Dubai Government entities and private schools to work remotely on Tuesday, April 16.” Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

New Flood Warnings

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a weather warning following predictions of “at-intervals-fluctuations” in weather patterns across the UAE between now and Wednesday 17 April 2024. Rainfall is expected across coastal and southern regions.

 

The warning in full advises:

“As Monday progresses into Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, both surface and upper air low pressures are forecasted to deepen, heightening instability nationwide. This surge in instability will be fuelled by increased humidity from the Arabian Sea.

“Widespread convective cloud formation is expected, leading to variable-intensity rainfall accompanied by lightning, thunder, and the potential for hail in localised areas. These conditions may result in flooding and strong winds, impacting horizontal visibility.”

Full Report: UAE Coastal Communities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Eye of the Storm

Storm Maps

Likelihood of School Closures

As yet, however, an emergency meeting has not been called by the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) on the impending severe weather conditions – and calm is expected by Wednesday:

“By Wednesday morning through to the evening, rainfall is projected to concentrate primarily in the northern and eastern regions before tapering off gradually into Wednesday night.”

Preparing for the Future

The new predictions of freak weather conditions follow school closures in March already this year, as well as a number of road closures.

Some parents question whether, if school closures do occur, the authorities should respond by imposing new school dates to ensure than the number of days of schooling received by each child are protected. To date, no regulator has required this.

As climate change takes its toll, many are also asking: are our school buildings resilient enough for the new challenges?

This is a fast moving story and will be updated as we receive further information.

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Read even more news on school closures here.

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