Astronomer explains when temperatures begin to ease and autumn officially begin.
Dubai: The UAE’s astronomical summer will end on September 23, when the autumnal equinox marks the official start of autumn, although meteorologists consider September the first month of the autumn season, according to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.
Al Jarwan said the country’s hottest period, known in Arabic as Al Qayz, begins to ease in the final third of August with the rising of the star Suhail, traditionally seen across the region as a sign of gradually cooler conditions.
He explained that although temperatures remain high through September, the Indian seasonal low-pressure system gradually weakens over the course of the month.
The UAE remains under the influence of thermal low-pressure systems extending from central Arabia, which generate active winds that can lift dust and reduce visibility.
At the same time, conditions remain conducive to the formation of convective clouds, especially over the eastern mountains, with thunderstorms and occasional rainfall extending into inland areas of the country.
September also brings a seasonal shift in wind patterns, with south-easterly winds dominating overnight and in the morning before giving way to north-westerly sea breezes during the afternoon and evening.
Humidity also gradually rises compared with August, especially in the latter half of the month, increasing the likelihood of fog and mist forming in scattered areas across the UAE.
Al Jarwan noted that astronomical summer begins with the summer solstice on June 21 and lasts three months until the autumnal equinox on September 23. During the first half of summer, daytime temperatures typically range between 41°C and 43°C, but can exceed 50°C in some areas during heatwaves.
In the latter half of the season, from August 11 onwards, rising humidity combined with persistent heat and seasonal Kous winds supports the development of towering thunderclouds over the Hajar Mountains, leading to localised summer thunderstorms known as Al Rawayeh.
With much of the summer still ahead, residents continue to adjust their routines to the intense heat, shifting outdoor activities to early morning and evening hours while increasingly relying on air-conditioned venues for leisure and fitness during the day.
Dubai Mallathon, running from 15 June to 15 September, has become one of the city’s flagship summer initiatives, enabling residents to walk and run along designated indoor routes across participating shopping malls during cooler morning hours. The programme aims to promote physical activity throughout the summer despite high temperatures.
Beyond organised fitness events, shopping malls, indoor attractions, museums, aquariums, family entertainment centres and beaches during cooler hours continue to be among the most popular destinations for residents and visitors. As temperatures gradually begin to ease toward late August, outdoor parks, eastern mountain regions and desert destinations are also expected to attract increasing numbers of visitors.
