Dubai: The high summer temperatures in the UAE are expected to gradually drop by late September, according to the national weather bureau.
Maximum temperatures with highs reaching 50 degrees Celsius in the country are expected to wane by September 21.
“After the sun’s rays crosses the equator on September 21, or around this time, then the temperature will gradually decrease below the tropical area,” a forecaster from the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) told Gulf News.
The maximum temperature in the UAE for the month of August has been recorded at 48C from 2003 to 2016, based on NCMS figures. This gradually drops to 45C by September, and to 41.6C in October.
During summer in the UAE, the earth’s northern hemisphere faces the sun. Because of the earth’s axis and its position at this time, the UAE directly faces the sun, receiving its energy at a more concentrated rate at about 2.5 times more than the energy received in the poles.
This causes extreme heat in these areas but even more in landlocked areas where heatwaves — a period of abnormally hot weather — can wreak havoc and cause deaths.
A major heatwave in Iraq necessitated for a suspension of work for the public sector yesterday. Other countries like Iran and Pakistan have also reported heatwaves. Europe has also been sweltering in an extreme heatwave dubbed Lucifer.
But the forecaster said that the heatwave in Iraq’s further north is not affecting the UAE.
“This area [Iraq] as you know is a continental area. It is landlocked and has more desert and mountains and is far from the sea. It gets more heat due to the Indian monsoon.”
“In contrast, the UAE belongs to the subtropics and is near the sea. Only the western part is composed purely of desert. So the heat we’re experiencing now cannot be called heatwave but just normal summer heat,” he said.
The forecaster said the mercury will continue to be in the high 40s, edging towards 50C, this month and next month until it begins to drop by two to four degrees by late September.
Meanwhile, this weekend will continue to be hot to very hot in most parts of the country but there may be some respite for those living in the eastern and southern UAE as there are chances of rain.
It will be mostly sunny and hazy along coastal areas on Friday and Saturday, according to the weather bureau. Some cumulus clouds may form in the southern and eastern areas, with a chance of rain clouds developing by afternoon over Al Ain.
Relative humidity will increase during night and early morning over some coastal areas, especially over the western areas.
The Arabian Gulf will be moderate to rough at times while the Oman Sea will be moderate.
TIPS HOW TO KEEP COOL IN THE SUMMER HEAT
1) Stay indoors at peak times during the day from noon till 3pm
2) Stay hydrated. Don’t just drink water, get some electrolytes if you have to go outdoors.
3) Use light clothing. Wear hats or caps or bring an umbrella whenever going outdoors.
