Is it safe to go near the wadi?
A sunny day out in a wadi. Make three choices and watch what the water does. Many people are surprised that a flood can arrive under a clear blue sky.
Right now in the wadi areas
Live forecast for the mountains above each area, updated every few minutes (Open-Meteo). It's a guide, not an official warning: always check the National Center of Meteorology ↗ and follow police road closures.
How little water it takes
Moving water is far stronger than it looks, and you can't see how deep or fast it is.
Fast water at ankle-to-shin height is enough.
Once it floats, the driver has no control.
Big tyres and high clearance don't help.
Know the colours
The National Center of Meteorology issues weather alerts in three colours. Official warnings and police road closures always come first.
Weather could become hazardous. Keep an eye on updates.
Dangerous weather is likely. Be prepared and avoid wadis and low roads.
Very dangerous weather. Follow instructions and stay safe indoors.
The wadi rules
Storms over the Hajar mountains can send a flood down a valley where the sky is clear.
About 30 cm can float a car. Underpasses flood first.
In Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah, always park on high ground away from the wadi bed.
If someone is in the water, call 999. Don't go in after them.
Sources: US National Weather Service (NWS), "Turn Around Don't Drown": 6 inches (about 15 cm) of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult, 12 inches (about 30 cm) of rushing water can carry away most cars, and 2 feet (about 60 cm) can carry away SUVs and trucks. UAE National Center of Meteorology (NCM) alert levels: yellow (be aware), orange (be prepared) and red (take action). UAE police and NCM advice: keep away from wadis and low-lying roads when rain or thunderstorms are forecast, and follow road closures. Emergency: 999 (police). The day in the wadi (a storm 15 km upstream, a flood 25 minutes later, water rising 2.4 m) is an invented scenario to show how fast it can happen, not a forecast. Live rain data comes from Open-Meteo and is a guide only.