The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

52°E

53°E

54°E

55°E

56°E

151

P RECIPITATION R AINFALL P ATTERNS & M EASUREMENTS

Ra's al- Khaimah

Umm al-Qaiwain

Only 100 mm of rain falls on the Emirate in an average year, making it an extremely limited resource. Some years may see no rain at all, while in others, intense rainfall over only a few days may exceed the average annual total. Geographically, the rainfall that does occur is more common and intense in the east, closer to Jebel Hafit and the Hajar Mountains, but becomes more infrequent towards the western desert areas. When it does rain, the event can be spectacular, as wadis quickly fill with

water, carving deep channels and transporting tons of rubble and vegetation to lower-lying areas. This can also result in lakes in the desert that remain for days or even weeks, and cause ponding on the sabkhas. The response of plants and animals to a heavy rain can be equally spectacular and immediate, as the much needed water triggers extensive vegetation growth and flowering, spawning new life in an otherwise arid desert habitat.

A r a b i a n G u l f

Ajman

Sharjah

Qatar

Dubai

91.1

25°N

25°N

Taweela

3.5

Al Faq

Samha

71.5

Mkasib

Abu Dhabi

Qaffay

Shahama

21.4

Muhayyimat

Sweihan

100.6

Ghaghah

Musaffah

Bani Yas

Yahir

Al Ain

Jebel Dhanna

Bu Samra

As Sad

Remah

Al Khatim

Al Khazna

Ghuweifat

2.5

Ruwais

Mirfa

56.0

52.9

Sila'a

Al Hamra

Az Zahir

Tarif

Mezyed

16.9

24°N

24°N

15.4

Al Arad

Habshan

Ghayathi

52.3

39.1

Bid al-Mutawa

103.9

5.3

37.4

0.2

Al Wijan

Madinat Zayed

30.9

32.0

5.0

0.4

Bu Hasa

2.4

28.4

60.4

12.2

34.7

Al Qua'a

56.7

35.1

3.0

33.0

1.8

30.7

0.9

10.8

2.0

Oman

5.3

1.2

20.5

44.9

Relative Precipitation (mm) per Station (2001–2008)

53.0

Mouzaira'a

39.2

Khannur

3.1

1.2

0.7

2.7

Qiesah

Aradah

23°N

23°N

Liwa

Hamim

2003

2004

2006

2007

2002

2005

2008

2001

Umm Az-Zumul

Saudi Arabia

Meteorological Measuring Stations

20

0

20

40 Kilometres

52°E

53°E

54°E

55°E

56°E