The UAE is geared up for a hot and humid Eid Al Adha break, but there may be rain on the way in some areas to offer respite from rising temperatures.
The National Centre of Meteorology forecasts highs of 35ºC in Abu Dhabi and 36ºC for Arafat Day on Thursday, which marked the start of a four-day public holiday in the Emirates.
The first day of the Eid Al Adha festival on Friday will see the mercury rise to 37ºC in the capital and remain steady at 36ºC in Dubai.
The NCM predicts a marked increase in temperatures over the Eid Al Adha weekend, with daytime highs reaching 38ºC in Abu Dhabi on Saturday and climbing to 40ºC on Sunday.
In Dubai, temperatures are set to hit 37ºC on Saturday and 39ºC on Sunday.
Humidity levels are expected to peak at between 80 per cent and 85 per cent in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Friday, but will drop off during the rest of the holiday.
Eid Al Adha is being observed as the Emirates moves closer to the summer season, having already experienced unseasonably hot conditions in recent weeks.
The UAE recorded its hottest April and May on record, although temperatures have cooled slightly in the early days of June.
A National Centre of Meteorology forecaster said on Tuesday the average maximum temperature for May was 40.4ºC – compared with overall maximum averages from 2003 to 2024 of 39.2ºC. The average temperature for May was 33.2ºC – compared with the historical average of 32.2ºC.
Rain on the way
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Waterlogged streets after heavy rain in the Al Furjan area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Tankers help to clear water from the streets in Discovery Gardens, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
A flooded road in the Discovery Gardens area. Pawan Singh / The National -
Heavy rain led to flooding in Discovery Gardens. Pawan Singh / The National -
A car struggles through the water in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Water is pumped from waterlogged streets in Discovery Gardens. Pawan Singh / The National -
Large puddles in a residential neighbourhood of Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The aftermath of heavy rain in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Overcast skies on Friday above Mina Port, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Heavy rain and strong winds brought flooding to Umm Suquim Street in Al Quoz. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Morning commuters plough through flooded streets in Al Quoz. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Dubai commuters faced a difficult journey to work early on Friday. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Morning thunderstorms brought heavy rain and flooding. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Wet weather in Dubai on Friday morning. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Some road surfaces were engulfed. Antonie Robertson / The National -
It was heavy going for those on foot. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A tree felled by heavy rain and winds. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Driving conditions were difficult on Friday morning. Antonie Robertson / The National -
People shelter from the rain under umbrellas. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Flood waters are seen on the roads around the Ibn Batutta mall area of Dubai. James O'Hara / The National -
Flood waters are seen on the roads around the Ibn Batutta mall area of Dubai. James O'Hara / The National -
Flood waters are seen on the roads around the Ibn Batutta mall area of Dubai. James O'Hara / The National
Residents venturing to the Northern Emirates for the public holiday are also set to encounter high temperatures and the prospect of rain.
The NCM's online weather map shows that rain is projected for Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, as well as Al Ain, on both Saturday and Sunday.
Maximum daytime temperatures in Ras Al Khaimah are forecast to remain at 39ºC from Thursday to Sunday.
In Fujairah, temperatures will hovering around 40ºC, though the NCM forecasts the wet weather in store on Sunday to bring with it a drop to 34ºC.
Temperatures are set to rise on Monday, as public and private sector employees return to work.
The NCM's weather map projects Abu Dhabi to bear the brunt of the heat, with daytime temperatures of 43ºC in store.
The weather centre expects temperatures to reach 40ºC in Dubai on the same day.
