Temperatures in the United Arab Emirates dipped to 0.2ºC on Jebel Jais on Thursday morning, marking one of the coldest days this winter, the country’s weather office said.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the low temperature was recorded at 5.45am near Ras Al Khaimah.

The country has been experiencing a cold spell during the second half of January, with the NCM noting a continued drop in temperatures across several areas, according to a report in Khaleej Times.

Sub-zero temperatures are not unprecedented in the UAE.

In 2021, Raknah recorded a low of -1.7ºC.

However, the nation’s lowest-ever recorded temperature remains -5.7ºC, observed on 3 February 2017 at Jebel Jais.

The following day, the same mountain cluster saw temperatures drop to -3ºC.

The Jais Mountain cluster, standing at 5,700 feet, was blanketed with snow, covering stretches of more than five kilometres, most recently on January 24, 2009.

The NCM continues to monitor the cold spell as it affects the northern mountain regions of the country.