Lightning Strikes Burj Khalifa as Heavy Rain Batters Parts of UAE

A dramatic lightning strike hit the tip of the Burj Khalifa on Thursday as heavy rain and unstable weather conditions affected parts of Dubai and the wider UAE, marking the peak of the country’s current low-pressure system.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, shared a striking video showing lightning hitting the world’s tallest building amid dark green clouds. The footage quickly drew attention online, highlighting the intensity of the weather system.

The post came shortly after Sheikh Hamdan urged residents to prepare for rainy days ahead. In earlier Instagram stories, he shared visuals of rain-laden clouds drifting over sand dunes, followed by a weather map illustrating cloud movements expected over the coming days.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the UAE is currently experiencing the peak of the ‘Al Bashayer’ low-pressure system. Several areas, including Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, recorded heavy rainfall and hail earlier in the day. A second and more intense wave of rainfall is forecast to move across Abu Dhabi and Dubai later today.

“The UAE is affected by an unstable weather situation due to the extension of a surface low-pressure system from the Red Sea,” the NCM said in a statement. “This will result in cloud formations of varying heights, producing rainfall of different intensities, accompanied by lightning, thunder and a chance of hail in some areas.”

Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious as weather conditions continue to evolve.