Dubai: Welcome to the start of summer in the UAE. The Summer Solstice is arriving this weekend, with Sunday, June 21, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and the start of astronomical summer. Expect fair weather across the country this weekend, with sunny skies and light winds, as humidity is set to rise again on Sunday night.
Temperatures settle into the mid-40s
According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), temperatures are settling into the mid-40s today, with a slight decrease in humidity, ranging from 60% to 80% in internal areas.
Coastal areas will see maximum temperatures between 37°C and 42°C, while internal areas are expected to record highs of 42°C to 47°C. Mountain regions will be slightly cooler, with temperatures ranging between 31°C and 36°C.
Liwa and Al Ain are set to experience the hottest temperature today, at 45°C. Among major cities, Dubai will see a high of 41°C, while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are forecast to reach 42°C. Temperatures in the cities are forecast to slide down to the low 30s after sundown.
Time for the beach
If you’re looking for a quick way to cool off, it’s the perfect time to head to the beach.
The NCM forecasts southeasterly to northwesterly winds averaging speeds of 10 to 20km/h, reaching 35km/h at times. With mild winds, you can expect calmer seas. Both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman are forecast to remain slight, according to the NCM, which means placid waters and gentle waves reaching peak heights of just two to three feet.
Humidity to rise at the end of the weekend
Tomorrow, wind speeds are expected to pick up to 40km/h, causing the Arabian Sea to turn from slight to moderate. It will return to calmer conditions on Sunday, when winds settle down again.
After a weekend of respite, in terms of humidity, the NCM forecasts moisture in the atmosphere to rise again on Sunday evening. This means the work week is likely to start with fog and mist appearing over some coastal areas, in the early hours of Monday, so be cautious when driving, as it may cause reduced visibility on the roads.
Here is the complete breakdown of minimum and maximum temperatures across the Emirates today:
Maximum Temp (°C) Minimum Temp (°C)
Dubai 41°C 32°C
Abu Dhabi 42°C 30°C
Al Ain 45°C 28°C
Sharjah 42°C 28°C
Ajman 37°C 31°C
Fujairah 37°C 31°C
Ras Al Khaimah 41°C 28°C
Umm Al Quwain 40°C 27°C
Liwa 46°C 25°C