Unprecedented Weather Event in Dubai
Recently, Dubai experienced unusual weather events, with a video capturing the sky turning green, causing a buzz on social media.
Video of the Green Sky
A 23-second timelapse video surfaced online, showing the sky transitioning from grey to a hazy green hue. Some viewers interpreted this as a sign of an approaching rainstorm.
- One user captioned the clip as “sky turns green In Dubai! Actual footage from the storm in Dubai today.”
- Another user shared, “You can see the sky turn GREEN!!!”
- A third user described the scene as “Heavy rain in Dubai right now, live footage sky turns green the whole city looks like dusty #Dubai #rain.”
Understanding the Phenomenon
According to research meteorologist Scott Bachmeier from the University Of Wisconsin–Madison, the green hue in the sky can be attributed to specific conditions within thunderstorm clouds.
He explained, “When blue objects are illuminated with red light, they appear green. A green cloud indicates deep cloud formations, typically associated with severe weather events like hail and tornadoes.”
Flight Disruptions at Dubai International Airport
As heavy rains lashed Dubai, the city’s airport faced significant disruptions, leading to flight cancellations and diversions.
Chaos at the Airport
On a particular day, a Flydubai Boeing 737 was filmed navigating through flash floods on the runway, showcasing the severity of the storm.
Multiple flights were canceled, and incoming planes were diverted to alternative airports until weather conditions improved.
Causes of the Heavy Rainfall
Experts attributed the intense rainfall in the UAE to a combination of normal weather patterns and the effects of climate change.
Weather System Impact
Esraa Alnaqbi, a senior forecaster at the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology, explained that a low-pressure system in the upper atmosphere, coupled with surface-level low pressure, created ideal conditions for a powerful thunderstorm.
The contrast between warm ground temperatures and cold air aloft intensified the storm, leading to the unusual weather phenomenon witnessed in Dubai.