• High levels of humidity in the UAE can make the summer air feel sticky. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
    High levels of humidity in the UAE can make the summer air feel sticky. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
  • The UAE flag waves in the breeze.
    The UAE flag waves in the breeze.
  • In the summer months, the typical humidity ranges from a dry 30 per cent to a very humid 89 per cent.
    In the summer months, the typical humidity ranges from a dry 30 per cent to a very humid 89 per cent.
  • Humidity is expected to rise as windy conditions are forecast across the country.
    Humidity is expected to rise as windy conditions are forecast across the country.
  • Hazy weather at Al Reem Island after evening showers in Abu Dhabi.
    Hazy weather at Al Reem Island after evening showers in Abu Dhabi.
  • Hazy morning weather at Al Raha Creek in Abu Dhabi.
    Hazy morning weather at Al Raha Creek in Abu Dhabi.
  • A hazy morning along the E10 highway in Abu Dhabi.
    A hazy morning along the E10 highway in Abu Dhabi.
  • Dark clouds gather above the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
    Dark clouds gather above the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

UAE

Environment

Dubai and Abu Dhabi weather: sweaty and uncomfortable as humidity increases

Weekly weather chart shows high humidity forecast until Sunday

The National

September 08, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

High humidity will make conditions unpleasant this week.

On Wednesday, humidity across the country could reach between 70 to 90 per cent in internal areas, the National Centre of Meteorology said.

In coastal areas, it is expected to be even higher, at 75 to 95 per cent.

Temperatures will peak at 44°C to 47ºC in internal areas on Wednesday, while the minimum will be between 24°C to 29°C. It will be hottest from noon until about 2pm.

It will be fair and partly cloudy throughout the day, and winds will be light to moderate, freshening at times and causing dust to blow about.

Conditions will be slight in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman.

Forecasters said the high humidity is going to persist.

NCM's weekly weather chart shows high humidity until Sunday, September 12. Early morning fog is also predicted throughout the week.

On Tuesday, the highest temperature was 47.2°C recorded in Hamim, in Al Dhafra.

In coastal regions of the UAE, the high humidity brought on by sea breezes off the Gulf exacerbates the temperatures, making it sticky and uncomfortable.

Here is the weather forecast for the days ahead:

Thursday:

It will be fair in general and partly cloudy at times. It will be humid at night in some coastal and internal areas, with a chance of fog or mist forming. There will be light to moderate winds blowing dust during the daytime.

In Dubai, the temperature will range from 31°C to 43°C with afternoon cloud and humidity will be between 20 per cent to 85 per cent.

In Abu Dhabi, the temperature will be between 30°C and 44°C with afternoon cloud. Humidity will be between 15 per cent to 85 per cent.

Friday:

Fair weather in general and partly cloudy at times, especially in the east. It will be humid by night with chances of fog and dusty winds.

In Dubai, the temperature will range from 31°C to 43°C, with increasing cloud and 20 per cent to 80 per cent humidity.

In Abu Dhabi, the temperature will be 30°C to 43°C, with increasing cloud, and humidity will be between 15 per cent to 80 per cent.

Saturday:

A chance of some convective cloud formations and fog.

In Dubai, the temperature will be 32°C to 43°C with clear skies. Humidity will range from 25 per cent to 80 per cent.

In Abu Dhabi, the temperature will range from 31°C to 43°C with increasing cloud, but will feel hotter with 20 per cent to 85 per cent humidity.

Sunday:

Probability of some convective cloud formations, with high humidity by night over some coastal and interior areas. Light to moderate south-easterly to north-easterly winds expected, blowing dust during daytime.

In Dubai, the temperature will be 32°C to 44°C with increasing cloud. Humidity will be between 25 per cent to 80 per cent.

In Abu Dhabi, it will be 31°C to 45°C and humidity between 20 per cent to 85 per cent.

Sweihan - one of the 'hottest place on Earth’

  • Shops in Sweihan. On Sunday, temperatures in the Al Ain town hit 51.8°C, the highest recorded by any community on Earth that day.
    Shops in Sweihan. On Sunday, temperatures in the Al Ain town hit 51.8°C, the highest recorded by any community on Earth that day.
  • 'The National' visited Sweihan when the temperature was a more clement 44°C, but not right for cooking eggs.
    'The National' visited Sweihan when the temperature was a more clement 44°C, but not right for cooking eggs.
  • Shakeel KP, a restaurant owner in Sweihan, says this summer is the hottest he has experienced in 12 years.
    Shakeel KP, a restaurant owner in Sweihan, says this summer is the hottest he has experienced in 12 years.
  • Elhadrami Alhashmi, an Emirati camel trainer and businessman, says Sweihan is hotter than his hometown of Liwa.
    Elhadrami Alhashmi, an Emirati camel trainer and businessman, says Sweihan is hotter than his hometown of Liwa.
  • Thursday's temperatures in Sweihan meant an attempt at frying an egg in the 44°C heat did not deliver the desired effect.
    Thursday's temperatures in Sweihan meant an attempt at frying an egg in the 44°C heat did not deliver the desired effect.
  • Residents of Sweihan say the heat is unbearable.
    Residents of Sweihan say the heat is unbearable.
  • Sweihan's heat melts ice cream in minutes.
    Sweihan's heat melts ice cream in minutes.
  • Residents of Sweihan say they avoid going outdoors during the daytime.
    Residents of Sweihan say they avoid going outdoors during the daytime.
  • Haris Hassan, 50, from Kerala, is the owner of Mega Fun Electronics in Sweihan. He says daytime heat is too much for even a five-minute walk.
    Haris Hassan, 50, from Kerala, is the owner of Mega Fun Electronics in Sweihan. He says daytime heat is too much for even a five-minute walk.
  • Sweihan resident Tareef Otham has cut down on his daily outdoor exercise routine to avoid the heat.
    Sweihan resident Tareef Otham has cut down on his daily outdoor exercise routine to avoid the heat.
  • Abdullah OK, 21, from India, sells fruit and vegetables in Sweihan.
    Abdullah OK, 21, from India, sells fruit and vegetables in Sweihan.
  • Hawa El Hadey, a travel agent who moved from Abu Dhabi city to Sweihan 13 years ago, says the heat is not too bad.
    Hawa El Hadey, a travel agent who moved from Abu Dhabi city to Sweihan 13 years ago, says the heat is not too bad.
  • Syed Ali, 31, from Pakistan works as a maintenance supervisor and has been living in Sweihan for five years.
    Syed Ali, 31, from Pakistan works as a maintenance supervisor and has been living in Sweihan for five years.
  • Muhammad Shafi, 35, from Kerala, has been in Sweihan for six months.
    Muhammad Shafi, 35, from Kerala, has been in Sweihan for six months.
  • Sweihan's long-time residents said last week was perhaps the hottest they have experienced.
    Sweihan's long-time residents said last week was perhaps the hottest they have experienced.
  • Sweihan's long-time residents said last week was perhaps the hottest they have experienced.
    Sweihan's long-time residents said last week was perhaps the hottest they have experienced.


Updated: September 08, 2021, 8:13 AM