UAE temperatures have soared past 50°C on the hottest days, prompting residents to look forward to relief from the intense summer heat.
Waiting for some relief from the scorching heat? Cooler days may not be far away. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, said the final stars of Al Qayz — traditionally associated with the peak of summer — will rise next Tuesday, August 11.
The Al Qayz period, known for its intense and dry heat, typically begins in early June and reaches its peak during July and August.
A little over two weeks later, on August 24, the Suhail star is expected to rise, traditionally signalling a gradual dip in temperatures and a break from the peak summer heat.
Also known as the ‘Star of Yemen’, Suhail is traditionally associated with a 40-day transition period during which the weather shifts from extreme heat to cooler temperatures. This period is commonly known as ‘Sufriya’.
Temperatures in the UAE have crossed 50°C as the country experiences peak summer heat. The mercury climbed to 51.2°C on Wednesday, August 5, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Despite the sweltering conditions, the UAE has also recently experienced periods of unstable weather, with rainfall in parts of the country offering residents a brief respite from the soaring temperatures.
The NCM earlier told that cloud-seeding flights were carried out whenever suitable clouds were detected during the previous rainy spell.
The centre explained that intense summer heat can encourage the development of convective clouds through surface heating, but heat alone is not enough to produce rain. Moisture, humid air masses, atmospheric instability, upper-air troughs and favourable winds are also required. When these conditions come together, thunderstorms and rainfall can develop even when temperatures approach 50°C.
