Dubai has been hit by harsh weather conditions, causing the city’s famous skyline to take on an apocalyptic look as lightning strikes the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Videos and photos circulating online show lightning bolts hitting the renowned skyscraper.
The dramatic scenes unfold as a strong weather front brings intense thunderstorms, lightning, and the risk of flooding to some parts of the Middle East. Footage of the striking lightning display has been circulating since Thursday evening, showing the lightning being safely redirected through the protection system of the 828-meter-tall building.
According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the weather was expected to impact western regions late Thursday before moving inland and eastward. Heavy rainfall and turbulent conditions are likely to cause significant disruptions in Dubai, including travel chaos and delays.
Despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Dubai’s skyline has been disrupted by the uncommon sight of lightning strikes. The city has faced repeated attacks from Iran’s missiles and drones since the outbreak of war, including strikes on the airport.
In the latest incident, UAE air defenses intercepted missiles and drones from Iran during the early hours of Thursday morning. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the booms and explosions reported across the country were caused by Emirati air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles and fighter jets intercepting drones.
Dubai’s Media Office issued a safety warning advising residents to be cautious during the turbulent weather conditions. The statement warned of unstable weather conditions until the morning of Friday, March 27, 2026, with varying intensity rain accompanied by lightning and thunder. It also cautioned against going out to sea, driving with care due to potentially strong winds causing reduced visibility, and avoiding flood-prone areas.
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