Scorching temperatures and dusty conditions are set to persist as the UAE moves through its extended two-phase summer.
Abu Dhabi: As temperatures approach 50°C in parts of the UAE and another spell of intense heat is forecast, many residents may be wondering if the worst of summer has already arrived. The answer, experts say, is no.
According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, the UAE is still in the first phase of its summer season, which runs from June 21 to August 10.
During this phase, daytime temperatures typically range between 41°C and 43°C, while overnight lows hover between 27°C and 31°C. The season is also characterised by dry weather and the Al Barih northwesterly winds, which frequently bring dusty conditions and reduce visibility across parts of the country.
Heatwaves are expected to remain a feature of the UAE’s weather over the coming weeks, with temperatures likely to rise at least 3°C above seasonal averages for two consecutive days. These hot spells can persist for up to six days or longer, with some inland areas seeing daytime temperatures exceed 50°C, accompanied by the hot, dry Al Samoom winds.
The weather pattern typically begins to change from August 11, marking the start of the second half of the UAE’s summer season. Although temperatures remain high, humidity levels rise significantly—especially along coastal areas—as the seasonal Al Koos winds become more established, making conditions feel even more uncomfortable.
The combination of intense heat and rising humidity also encourages the formation of convective clouds over the Hajar Mountains, often bringing the late-summer thunderstorms locally known as Al Rawaih.
For residents waiting for relief from the heat, the first noticeable change typically arrives with the autumnal equinox on September 23. According to Al Jarwan, daytime temperatures generally begin to fall below 40°C, while overnight lows dip below 25°C, signalling the gradual transition to cooler conditions.
The first genuinely cool nights usually arrive from mid-October, when minimum temperatures fall below 20°C. More comfortable daytime weather follows later, with highs dropping below 30°C between mid-November and mid-March, marking the UAE’s coolest and most pleasant time of the year.
The country’s main rainy season typically extends from early November to the end of March. Autumn also brings a greater chance of morning fog and dew, particularly between mid-September and mid-November, as elevated humidity combines with gradually declining temperatures.
