Al Ain: Reap the blessings of Ramadan but be careful outdoors as the days will be the season’s hottest and most humid, Muslims were warned by the national weather bureau.
Negligence could cause health problems for fasting field workers in the year’s longest and toughest days, especially in the month of July, said a spokesperson of the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS).
“Ramadan this year comes in the summer period [June 29 to July 28] and this period of the year is characterised by high temperatures during the daytime,” said the centre. The length of the fast in the UAE will be 15 hours and 15 minutes. It will gradually reduce during the month and there will be a difference of around 17 minutes and 45 seconds between the first and the last fasting day, said the forecaster.
The maximum temperature recorded in July is 52.1 degrees Celsius. It was back in July 2002 in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi emirate, according to the NCMS. The average maximum temperature is expected to be between 40.7C to 43.3C. Forecasters rate July and August as the toughest months of the year when heat, coupled with high humidity, constitute maximum discomfort for residents across the emirates.
An increase in humidity is also likely during Ramadan in the morning and at night that could cause mist and fog in some areas. The average relative humidity will be between 19 and 29 per cent. This could, however, go up to 68 to 81 per cent at times, said the NCMS. This is also the time of maximum ultraviolet radiation as it is caused by the movement of the Sun from the Tropic of Cancer to the equator.
The forecasters also expect extension of low air surface pressures from the east that could help in the development of cumulus clouds over the mountainous areas at times. This could result in rain in some areas, accompanied by wind, dust, and occasional thunderstorms. The cumulative rainfall amount recorded during this month was 175.6mm in 1995 in Khor Fakkan on the east coast.
The national weather bureau has also warned people to take necessary precautions and cut down on outdoor activities to avoid health problems in Ramadan.
