UAE breaks May heat record again

Mercury rises to 51.6ºC as country sets new high for second day in a row

A Dubai resident covers up to protect himself on a hot, dusty day. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Read more: What is causing UAE's record high temperatures?

The UAE on Saturday broke a May temperature record for the second day in a row, the National Centre of Meteorology said.

In a post on X, the centre confirmed the mercury rose to a scorching 51.6ºC in Abu Dhabi emirate.

The record temperature was recorded in the Sweihan area close to Al Ain and followed Friday's record of 50.4°C, also in Abu Dhabi emirate.

Both those temperatures were higher than the previous May record of 50.2°C noted in May 2009.

Records have been collected systematically in the early 2000s.

The sizzling temperatures mean summer has started earlier this year and also comes after the UAE experienced the hottest April on record. Average daily temperature highs for the month stood at 42.6°C.

It also comes as global climate records continue to tumble. Last year was the world's hottest year on record, scientists from the European Copernicus climate service said. It broke the record set in 2023.

The scorching conditions in the UAE meanwhile, prompted the NCM on Friday to issue a heat warning instructing people to avoid direct exposure to the sun, drink plenty of fluids, not to leave children in cars and ensure pets are hydrated.

Medics have urged people to stay indoors during peak heat hours where possible and avoid direct sun exposure.

Dr Karthikeyan Chinniah, consultant in emergency medicine at Lifecare Hospital in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi, previously told The National that people should allow their body time to acclimate to hot weather before engaging in strenuous activity. He also advised wearing loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing, using sunscreen and wearing sunglasses.

“It is essential to consume enough water to stay sufficiently hydrated," Dr Chinniah said.

April was hottest on record in UAE

00:57

There might be some respite for residents from scorching heat over the next few days.

In its five-day bulletin published on Sunday, the NCM forecast for Monday a “decrease in temperatures over the western coasts”.

It was a similar picture for Tuesday with the centre forecasting “another decrease in temperatures”.

The NCM said maximum temperatures on the coastal cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi were expected to hit 45ºC on Monday and drop to 44ºC on Tuesday.

Experts have said, however, the UAE is headed for longer and hotter summers.

Dr Diana Francis, climate scientist and head of the ENGEOS Lab at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, in April told The National that summer now lasts about 10 days longer.

“In the future, projections show an increase of the summer season towards six months, with fall and spring seasons shrinking in length," said Dr Francis.