UAE Weather Alert: Rain Forecasted for March 5; KHDA Drops 2026 School Ratings

Residents across the UAE are waking up to an "unstable" weather morning. While the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has issued alerts for the northern and eastern regions, Dubai's education sector is buzzing with the release of the KHDA 2026 School Inspection Results.

1. Weather Update: Rain & Cooler Temperatures

The NCM has confirmed that today, Thursday, March 5, 2026, will be partly cloudy to cloudy across most of the country.

• Rain Chances: Light to moderate rainfall is expected in coastal, northern, and eastern areas (including Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah).

• Strong Winds: Northwesterly winds reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h may cause blowing dust, reducing visibility on highways like Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).

• Sea Conditions: The Arabian Gulf will be rough to moderate, while the Oman Sea will remain relatively calm but may turn rough by evening.

2. KHDA 2026: The New "Outstanding" Schools

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has officially released the 2026 School Ratings. Out of 209 inspected schools, 23 schools achieved the "Outstanding" rating, while 26 schools saw an improvement in their year-on-year performance.

School Name	2026 Rating	Average Fees (AED)
Dubai College	Outstanding	103,860
GEMS Dubai American Academy	Outstanding	79,743
Dubai British School (Emirates Hills)	Outstanding	66,284
Horizon English School	Outstanding	51,337
Emirates International School (Meadows)	Very Good	57,483
GEMS Our Own Indian School	Very Good	9,910

3. School Fee Hikes: What Parents Need to Know

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the KHDA has set the Education Cost Index (ECI) at 2.35%.

• The Fee Cap: Schools that maintained their rating can increase fees by exactly 2.35%.

• The "Improvement" Bonus: Schools that moved up a tier (e.g., from Good to Very Good) are eligible for higher increases, ranging up to double the ECI (4.7%).

• New Schools: Any private school operating in Dubai for less than three years is not eligible for a fee adjustment this year.

4. Big Ticket Abu Dhabi: Series 285

In other local news, ticket sales for Series 285 of the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi are currently open.

• The Prize: The grand prize for the upcoming draw on April 3, 2026, is AED 20 Million.

• The Offer: The popular "Buy 2, Get 2 Free" promotion is active throughout March, making it a high-volume week for ticket seekers.

5. FAQs

Q1. Will schools be closed today due to rain?

Ans: As of now, there is no official "Remote Learning" order. However, parents are advised to check their school’s specific communication channels (Seesaw, WhatsApp, or Email) for localized updates.

Q2. How can I check my child’s school rating?

Ans: You can download the full School Fees Fact Sheet for any school directly from the KHDA website or mobile app to see the latest 2026 rating and fee breakdown.

Q3. Are the school bus rules changing in 2026?

Ans: Yes. Following a new Federal Decree, the maximum permitted journey time for school pupils is now capped at 45 minutes for early years and 60 minutes for all other students.

Q4. What is the temperature in Dubai today?

Ans: Highs will reach 28°C to 30°C, while the minimums in internal regions may drop as low as 13°C tonight.

Q5. When is the next Big Ticket draw?

Ans: The draw for Series 285 will take place on April 3, 2026, at 8:30 PM.

Conclusion

Between the shifting UAE weather news March 5 2026 and the critical KHDA 2026 updates, today is a busy day for UAE residents. Keep an eye on the skies if you are traveling between Emirates, and review those school fact sheets before the next fee installment is due!