Weather

UAE sizzles: Country records hottest August day in 9 years at 51.8°C

Published

6 months ago

August 8, 2025

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The UAE is officially feeling the heat, quite literally. The country witnessed one of its hottest days in recent times when Sweihan in Al Ain scorched its way into the record books, clocking in at a blistering 51.8°C on the first day of this month, making it the hottest August day in the past nine years, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

This new high overtakes the previous August temperature record of 51.4°C, set in Mezaira back in 2017, a sign of rising temperatures across the region.

So, what’s going on with the weather?

August is typically one of the UAE’s hottest months, and this year is no exception. The intense heat is being fuelled by thermal low-pressure systems as the Indian monsoons play a major role in pushing up temperatures across the country.

And if you’ve noticed some unexpected thunderstorms in some parts of the country lately? That’s partly due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a band near the equator that stirs up convective rainy clouds and brings bursts of unstable weather during the first half of August.

Breezy, but boiling

Wind patterns add their twist to the mix. During this period, you’ll often feel the breeze blowing across in the evenings and early mornings. Occasionally, residents may also experience blowing dust, as northwesterly winds as capable of kicking up suspended dust in exposed areas.

Humidity-wise, things are sticky too. The mean relative humidity for August is 47 per cent, with sultry mornings and evenings. Maximum humidity can reach between 63 and 80 per cent, while the minimum can hover around 17 to 32 per cent, which explains those sweaty sunrise walks and steamy evening commutes.

A look at the numbers

Here’s a quick snapshot of August weather stats, according to the NCM:

Average air temperature: 34.7°C to 36.5°C
Average maximum temperature: 40.9°C to 43.2°C
Average minimum temperature: 29.3°C to 31°C

Third-warmest July globally

Last month was Earth’s third-warmest July since records began and included a record national temperature in Turkey of 50.5 degrees Celsius, scientists said. According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the average global surface air temperature reached 16.68 C in July, which is 0.45 C above the 1991-2020 average for the month.

Related Topics:hottestaugust hottestmonth NCM Sweihan uae weather uaesummer weatheralert

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

News

UAE travellers alert: Check with your airline as weather disrupts flights at Dubai airports, foggy conditions to continue

Published

7 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) are advised to check their flight status after adverse weather conditions disrupted airport operations early Tuesday.

Dubai Airports confirmed that 12 flights were cancelled and 23 inbound flights diverted after weather conditions affected aircraft movements at both airports. Disruptions began in the early hours of the morning.

Airport authorities said they are working closely with airlines and service partners to restore normal operations and minimise inconvenience to passengers. Travellers are strongly advised to contact their airline directly for the latest updates before heading to the airport.

What travellers should know

Flight delays, cancellations or diversions may continue, particularly during early morning and late-night hours
Fog or mist is possible across coastal and inland areas, which could impact visibility
Passengers should allow extra travel time to reach the airport and monitor airline notifications closely

Passenger advice

Check your flight status before leaving home
Sign up for airline alerts and notifications
Arrive early and be prepared for possible schedule changes

Dubai Airports said it will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates as needed.

Foggy conditions to prevail throughout week

Meanwhile, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast fair to partly cloudy conditions across the UAE in the coming days, with high humidity overnight increasing the risk of fog.

From Wednesday to Saturday, fair to partly cloudy conditions are expected, with rising temperatures and high humidity at night and in the early morning. Fog or mist may form on several days.

Dubai RTA and Sharjah Police have urged motorists to drive with caution, expect delays and allow extra travel time, especially on major roads during early morning hours.

Weather

NCM warns of humid mornings, foggy conditions in UAE through end of January

Published

2 weeks ago

January 27, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast continued humid morning conditions over parts of the UAE’s inland and coastal areas, with a chance of fog or light fog from tomorrow through January 31.

According to the forecast, weather conditions will be generally fair to partly cloudy, with low clouds appearing at times over eastern, northern and coastal regions. There is also a possibility of light, scattered rainfall in some areas during the period.

Temperatures are expected to rise gradually on Thursday, followed by a noticeable decrease on Friday.

Winds will vary between north-westerly and south-easterly, remaining light to moderate and occasionally active, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 km/h, reaching up to 35–40 km/h at times. Sea conditions will range from slight to moderate, becoming rough at times, particularly in the Arabian Gulf toward the end of the week.

Fog or light fog is most likely during the early morning hours, especially over western, coastal and inland areas. Motorists are advised to exercise caution due to reduced visibility.

Weather

UAE weekend weather: Clouds, humidity, and chances of showers

Published

3 weeks ago

January 23, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The weather is shaking things up a bit this weekend in the UAE. Say goodbye to the usual clear, dry winter days and hello to more clouds, a touch of humidity, and even a chance of light rain across parts of the country.

A weak low-pressure system from the east, plus a little nudge from the upper atmosphere, is giving us a bit of variety. Nothing extreme, but don’t be surprised if your morning drive feels misty or hazy.

Here’s the lowdown:

Friday:

Skies: Fair to partly cloudy
Winds: Light to moderate, gusty at times
Humidity: Rising overnight, especially in western areas, watch for mist at dawn
Temps: Coastal highs 19–24°C, inland up to 25°C, nights dipping to 7°C; mountains cooler (9–16°C, lows near 5°C)
Sea: Calm to moderate in the Arabian Gulf, slight in the Oman Sea

Saturday:

Skies: Cloudier by evening along the coast and north
Rain: Small chance over the sea
Winds: Southeasterly to northeasterly, up to 35 km/h
Humidity is expected to stay high, so mornings may be hazy

Sunday:

Skies: More clouds across coastal, northern, and eastern areas
Rain: Chance of light showers continues
Winds: Shifting northwest, picking up over the Arabian Gulf, rough seas possible at night

Looking ahead:

Monday: Cooler with cloudy spells, fog or mist overnight/early morning
Tuesday: Skies start to clear, but humidity and early-morning mist linger in some areas

Keep a light jacket handy, maybe an umbrella, and enjoy the mild change in weather; it’s a refreshing break from the usual sunny winter weather. Road users should be careful when driving late at night or early in the morning, as mist and fog could affect visibility.