Tropical Storm Ahmed
When the ceiling of Spinneys Umm Seqeim suddenly began rattling violently, customers throughout the aisles stopped dead in their shopping tracks. Was Iran invading? Was the apocalypse nigh?
Happily or sadly it turned out to be just rain, but huge, heavy tropical rain hammering onto the roof in great fat drops. It sounded more like hail.
Sheikh Zayed Road was a dark mirror of golden headlight streaks shining through the rain mist thrown up behind vehicles, even more filthy than the rain itself. Rain in the sandlands requires gallons of windscreen wiper water to wash it off continually, as the heat of the day instantly dries it to a dusty film after each sweep. As it is pushed to the side of the window, it appears almost milky with dirt.
But the lovely thing about rain is a slight reduction in tailgating: drivers extend their "safe stopping distance" from two inches to about two foot.
Storms in other parts of the world get names, so given Dubai has so few it is time to start naming them alphabetically, making this one Tropical Storm Ahmed. The next one, in tribute to Dubai's multicultural society, will be Cyclone Babu.
Happily or sadly it turned out to be just rain, but huge, heavy tropical rain hammering onto the roof in great fat drops. It sounded more like hail.
Sheikh Zayed Road was a dark mirror of golden headlight streaks shining through the rain mist thrown up behind vehicles, even more filthy than the rain itself. Rain in the sandlands requires gallons of windscreen wiper water to wash it off continually, as the heat of the day instantly dries it to a dusty film after each sweep. As it is pushed to the side of the window, it appears almost milky with dirt.
But the lovely thing about rain is a slight reduction in tailgating: drivers extend their "safe stopping distance" from two inches to about two foot.
Storms in other parts of the world get names, so given Dubai has so few it is time to start naming them alphabetically, making this one Tropical Storm Ahmed. The next one, in tribute to Dubai's multicultural society, will be Cyclone Babu.
13 Comments:
I know everyone has been talking about global warming, but it really is happening. It's no longer just a threat but an event we are actually already experiencing. while the deserts are experiencing frequent rains, here in the tropics, we are having extra hot temperature (although it is summer) - but it's really really extra hot than the normal summer temperature we used to have here. just a thought...
http://larrybored.i.ph
CYCLONE BABU - lol - you made my day SD....
Sam
So true! It's hilarious how rain and wind create such havoc (both emotionally and in a vehicular sense). Yesterday's storm really took the cake though...another thing I love is the local media coverage of rain in the UAE...it really does get equal play to say...an Iranian invasion or other large geopolitical event.
I dunno about the UAE, but in Kuwait they'd probably go for Hurricane Lexus.
lol, well SD maybe you should do like the scandinavian weather people do. The first storm gets a male name, and the one that follows a female name and so on so forth.
Cyclone Babu is truly an inspired name!
My first comment- have enjoyed your blog and belated congrats on the bloggies award!
Was once caught in a hale storm in Dubai It amused me no end the fact everyone put there hazard lights on so you had no idea which direction anyone wanted to go!
POsted by Chris Bassoo Christopher Bassoo
Congrats of being Blogger of note...I think your site is very good...a great read and bravo...i think anyway you slice it rain sucks unless you are in a warm climate, but here in Canada when you mix the rain with the snow in the spring, it is slushy and gross, especially when you have to wear a suit...warm regards Christopher Bassoo
99% of drivers in the Sandlands never indicate anyway!
Hi,
I hate sand in my sandwich. I hate sand in my eyes. I hate sand in my hair.
What's an indicator?
Regards,
Coral
I was thinking more along the lines of Cyclone BuJ lol
Matt and CJ.. I first got my licence (well it's actually just a golden card) in Dubai then went to get its UK equivalent 2 years later. I knew DP accepted UK licenses, but I didn't understand why it wasn't reciprocal. Especially since I had to do 5 tests in Dubai (parking1, parking2, hill, signs, road test) and just 1 in the UK.
So I went to BSM and took some lessons.. and it started raining.. so.. naturally.. I switched on the hazard lights.
Tropical storm Ahmad...inejad?
hehe...great post...ur tropical storm babu bit was hilarious...im an indian and specifically a keralite...so its all the more funnier to me...the way we've swamped UAE is a source of jokes out here as well...newez wonderful pst, keep up the good work...cheers..
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