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Dubai: Dubai temperatures have been warmer than average for the second month in a row this summer. Last month's above average temperatures tie in with the figures for May this year, which was also warmer than normal. Weather conditions near the end of June were described as "very uncomfortable" by forecasters due to rocketing temperatures and high humidity levels. Figures from the meteorological office at Dubai International Airport show that the average maximum temperature last month was 41.2C. This is nearly 2 degrees higher than the long term average maximum of 39.4C for June. Minimum temperatures were also higher than normal, averaging 29.4C, against the long term average minimum of 26.9C. The lowest temperature recorded last month was 27.3C, compared to the lowest ever for June of 20.7C.
Clive Stevens, duty forecaster at the airport, said the increase in the amount of built upon land probably explains the rise in temperatures. This is often referred to as the "heat island" effect. "Since records began, there has been a noticeable trend towards an increase in temperatures, particularly minimum temperatures. "If you just have ordinary sand and it gets heated during the day, it will cool rapidly at night, but a massive block of concrete will retain heat into the night," he said. As reported in Gulf News, the average maximum temperature for May this year was 38.1C, slightly higher than the long term average maximum for May of 37.4C. Late last month the meteorologists' comfort index, which combines the effects of temperature, humidity and wind speed, reached 7, which represents "very uncomfortable" conditions. Higher temperatures and humidity, and lower wind speed, caused the index to increase. However, things have since improved considerably, with the index yesterday failing to climb above 2, which is classed as "comfortable". This was due to modest temperatures and humidity levels and a breeze of 14 knots. Over the coming weeks the comfort index is likely to soar again. Last August it reached the maximum of 10, which is described as conditions of "extreme stress".
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