Summer enters its final stretch as Suhail’s appearance signals the gradual arrival of cooler days.
Dubai: The UAE has entered the final stretch of its traditional peak summer season, marking the beginning of a gradual transition away from the year’s most intense heat as the appearance of the Suhail star draws closer.
The rising of the Al Kulaybin star on August 11 marks the start of Marakhiyat Al Qalaid, the final phase of Al Qayz, traditionally regarded as the peak summer period across the Arabian Peninsula.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, said the period runs from August 11 to September 3, marking the final phase of the region’s hottest season.
The seasonal transition does not mean temperatures will drop immediately. The National Centre of Meteorology forecast highs of up to 48°C in inland areas today, although temperatures are expected to ease gradually, particularly along the coast. Winds may reach speeds of 40km/h, potentially raising dust and reducing visibility.
August generally remains one of the UAE’s hottest and most humid months. Weather conditions are influenced by the Indian seasonal low-pressure system, along with thermal lows extending from the southwest. Convective clouds may also develop during the afternoon, bringing rainfall to parts of the country, especially eastern and southern areas.
Suhail signals a seasonal turning point
The next major seasonal milestone arrives on August 24, when Suhail, also known as Canopus, traditionally becomes visible before dawn above the south-eastern horizon. For generations, the star’s appearance has been regarded across the Arabian Peninsula as a sign that the intense summer heat is beginning to ease.
Traditionally, Suhail’s arrival is associated with gradually cooler nights and changes in humidity as the region begins its long transition away from peak summer. Canopus is the second-brightest star in the night sky after Sirius and is located about 310 light-years from Earth.
However, the appearance of Suhail does not mark the end of astronomical summer. This year, the autumnal equinox falls on September 23, officially marking the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
Al Jarwan said that around 45 days after Suhail’s appearance, day and night become nearly equal in length as autumn gradually sets in. The traditional beginning of winter, he added, comes roughly 100 days after the star’s appearance.
