Temperatures in the UAE climbed in July to its highest level in nine years as the country was affected by hot winds coming from the Red Sea, dubbed “the Sudanese low pressure,” according to the UAE’s MET office.

Mercury on July 20 was its highest level of 50.4 Celsius since 2003, recorded in the desert town of Suweihan outside the capital, it said in a statement.

“This degree was has not been recorded since 2003 and was the second highest since the MET office was established…..July this year was the hottest month in nine years,” the statement said.

It said the highest temperature in the UAE was registered on July 30, 2002 in the western region, when it hit 52.1 Celsius.

The statement said the surge in mercury this month was caused by southwestern hot winds and “the Sudanese low pressure”, adding that such factors usually cause light clouds and winds coupled with haze and dust.

The UAE and other Gulf countries have one of the hottest summers in the world given their desert nature. As a result, rain is scarce in the region, prompting its countries to rely heavily on costly desalinated sea water.