Humidity could hit 100 per cent in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as temperatures climb towards 50°C

A hot and sticky weekend is expected across the Emirates

A plane takes off through a haze of humidity blanketing Dubai Marina in June. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Towers in Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai during the hot and humid weather.

Hot and humid weather in Dubai.

Parasailing is a good way to keep cool in Dubai Marina during the hot and humid spell in Dubai.

Dubai Marina during the hot and humid weather in the emirate on Friday.

Dubai Marina shrouded in a haze of humidity.

Humidity levels could hit 100 per cent in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this weekend, with temperatures set to reach 50°C in Al Ain.

The National Centre of Meteorology forecasts humidity levels will top 80 per cent in some parts of the country on Saturday and may rise to 100 per cent in Dubai and the capital on Sunday.

A 100 per cent reading means the air is totally saturated and is no longer able to absorb moisture, even human sweat, and this disrupts our cooling process.

These sticky conditions are largely caused by warmer seas, which increases evaporation, while hotter temperatures on land means the air absorbs more water.

A rise in humidity has been coupled with increasing temperatures in recent days as summer season kicks in.

While the NCM forecasts a drop to 37°C in Dubai on Saturday, temperatures are expected to hit 44°C in Abu Dhabi and soar to 50°C in Swiehan, Al Ain.

'Hottest day on Earth' in Al Ain - in pictures

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.

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.

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.

Sweihan's heat melts ice cream in minutes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Another 50°C day is forecast for Al Ain on Sunday, with temperatures topping 40°C in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The UAE is well used to soaring temperatures, especially during the baking hot summer months.

In June 2021, temperatures in Swiehan peaked at 51.8°C, the highest on Earth that day.

The country typically sees several weeks of high humidity and rising temperatures in early and late summer, with a long dry stretch throughout July and August.