UAE’s coldest, hottest and rainiest spots revealed

The country’s veteran storm chaser calls Jebel Jais a winter wonderland

Jebel Jais stands out for its captivating snow-capped mountains. This makes it one of the most attractive winter destinations for Fahad Mohamad Abdul Rehman, who is renowned as one of the most dedicated storm chasers in the UAE.

The 27-year-old Emirati who often travels to Ras Al Khaimah says that the picturesque route to reach the tallest mountain in the North-Western Hajar range, makes it so much more appealing.

“The white snow-covered mountains in the winter months make it all the more inviting,” he added.

Towering at 1,934 meters, its summit provides stunning views, he highlights.

The UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais is already a popular weekend destination for both tourists and locals with several private and public transportation options.

Notably, it boasts the world’s longest zipline and the UAE’s highest bridge suspended 1,250 meters above sea level.

The Hajar Mountains stretch southwards from Dibba along the Gulf of Oman coast, through Khor Fakkan and Fujairah to the Oman border.

“The eastern and central regions of the UAE are green due to rainfall.” He explains, “The mountain regions feature great diversity along many parameters.”

The Hajar Mountains consist predominantly of a group of rocks known as ‘ophiolite’, which were formerly a part of the ocean crust and upper mantle.

Ophiolite formations are typically linked to limited plant variety and a prevalence of unique species in other areas. “The wadis within the Hajar Mountains support distinct freshwater environments teeming with a diverse range of life. Sometimes it snows on the top of these mountains and it’s beautiful to capture these as stories in my videos. Nature’s beauty is incredibly diverse and captivating. There is so much wonder to explore.”

Similarly, shedding light on other attractive spots in the UAE, Fahd explains: “Masafi in Ras Al Khaimah also has a different kind of charm. Mleiha and Al Madam areas in Sharjah and parts of Al Ain transform into captivating locations, during rainfall. But Al Ain can also become extremely hot during summer.”