A severe weather system sweeping towards Dubai is threatening to derail the Christmas travel plans of tens of thousands of British citizens, with fears of a repeat of the catastrophic flooding that paralysed the city last year.
Biblical Rainfall Forecast for Gulf City
Dubai is bracing for intense rainfall, with forecasts predicting a thunderstorm to arrive on Thursday morning, December 18, 2025. The downpours are expected to worsen into torrential conditions by Friday, before improving on Saturday. The situation has stirred acute anxiety, given the flash floods that swamped Dubai Airport in April 2024, bringing the global hub to a standstill.
Meteorologist Jim Dale, founder of British Weather Services, told Metro that while the storm's core appears to be tracking north of the region, 'thundery downpours' are still likely on Thursday and Friday. "You are in the part of the world where you do get flash floods, and they come out of the blue," he warned. "People might not take the warnings seriously because they are in a nice warm temperature, but suddenly the sky goes black and you might get 50-60mm of rain."
Residents are already sensing the change. Elle Starkos, an Australian expat, described an uncharacteristic scene in the UAE capital: "It's cold. It's windy. It's grey." She added, "I swear…it's here. It's gonna rain in Dubai."
Potential for Widespread Flight Disruption
The primary concern is that heavy rain could cause significant flight delays and cancellations at one of the world's busiest airports during the peak festive travel period. An untold number of flights could be impacted, stranding foreign nationals, including a large British contingent, far from home for Christmas.
Jim Dale cautioned that while a repeat of last year's severe airport flooding is unlikely, there is "every chance" when heavy showers occur suddenly. The city's municipality has issued safety guidelines, urging residents to secure balcony furniture, keep drains clear, and avoid walking near trees or through floodwater.
The storm has already caused devastating damage further north. In Gaza, winter storms have devastated tents and homes, deepening the humanitarian crisis. Mazen al‑Najjar, mayor of Jabalia, stated the weather depression hit as people were "already living in catastrophic conditions." Reports indicate at least 14 people died in a storm last week, with over 53,000 refugee tents flooded.
Know Your Rights If Your Flight is Cancelled
For affected UK travellers, understanding passenger rights is crucial. Under UK and EU law, airlines are obligated to provide care for passengers on delayed or cancelled flights. This includes:
- Meals and refreshments.
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required.
- Transfers between the airport and accommodation.
- Communication (phone calls and emails).
Eligibility for this support depends on flight distance and delay length. For short-haul flights (under 1,500km), care is required after a two-hour wait; for medium-haul (1,500-3,500km), three hours; and for long-haul (over 3,500km), four hours.
If a flight is cancelled, passengers can choose between a full refund of the unused ticket or rebooking on an alternative route at no extra cost. However, consumer watchdog Which? notes that compensation is not payable for cancellations due to 'extraordinary circumstances' like bad weather, as it is considered outside the airline's control. Passengers should keep all receipts for reasonable expenses to claim back from the airline.
Experts link the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events to climate change. Official figures show the Gulf region has seen an over 18% rise in rainfall since the start of the millennium, with predictions of more intense sandstorms and summer temperatures regularly hitting 50°C.
