Get ready to turn off the air conditioning and pull out your umbrella – the Gulf’s rainy season is about to begin.
According to the ancient Drour calendar, cool autumn weather will begin in October. The 365-day calendar measures the year in 10-day cycles, or micro seasons, which are known in Arabic as dir.
The almanac has four seasons, with 100 days allocated to autumn, winter and summer, followed by a 60-day season of intense heat that ends in late August.
Five so-called stolen days are added for turbulent weather.
The season of intense heat ended when the star Suhail appeared in the sky on August 24, and good weather was expected to begin between October 23 to November 2.
Traditionally, this is when the palm pollination and camel grazing season begins.
“With winter coming into the picture, we have the very prominent constellations of Orion, Taurus, the Big Dog and the Little Dog, and the star Suhail in the night sky,” said Hasan Al Hariri, a specialist in the star-based almanac and chief executive of the Dubai Astronomy Group.
“People are very much waiting for two main seasons, the heat and the winter. They are not looking to the stars for the sake of the weather but for activities, to know what to do.”
October is also the season for the annual migration to mountain villages, where tribes would go in winter after spending summer in date orchards.
-
Flooding on Al Dhaid - Masafi Road between Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology -
Water runs off a mountain face onto a road in Marbad, an area of Masafi in Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology -
Motorists drive carefully over a flooded road to Kalba in Sharjah. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology -
Rain falls over a road in Masafi, Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology -
A flooded road leading to Asimah in Fujairah. Asimah is a mountainous village, north of Masafi. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology -
Roads fill with water in Marbad, an area of Masafi in Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology -
Flooding on Al Dhaid - Masafi Road between Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology -
Heavy rain falls over a motorway in Masafi, Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology
The mountains were only inhabited in the winter, when rain could fill cisterns. Hardy families who eked out a living with livestock and growing crops on terraced farms stayed until the weather began to warm again in April or May and the cisterns emptied.
However, farmers reported that the centuries-old almanac has become less reliable in recent years because of climate change.
“As you may notice, the celebrations happen in winter, it’s a time to plant new palm trees and begin a new season,” said Mr Al Hariri. “In this section of the calendar, there’s a drop of pressure, winds and lashes of rain.”
The UAE has been hit by heavy rains this month already, with flash floods sweeping the Northern Emirates last weekend and in late September.
Seasonal shifts in October can bring wind, turbulent weather and swinging temperatures.
The barometer hit 41°C in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday, while Ras Al Khaimah recorded the coldest spot in the country with a temperature of 19°C on Jebel Jais on Monday morning.
With the grey skies in prospect, get ready to hear Mehad Hamad's classic song Rain Rain blasting from car stereos and prepare for montages of rain-soaked deserts on your social media feeds.
After a long, stifling summer the season for camping, hiking and cool desert nights has begun.
