Soaring temperatures send residents scurrying for cover

Al Ain: Residents braved scorching weather yesterday as the temperature shot up above 46C making the Oasis City the hottest place in the country.

But it felt like 50C as weathermen said humidity and other factors lowered the comfort index.

The city had a deserted look at about midday when people took refuge in homes and other air-conditioned environments.

"Very hot and hazy in general," was the comment of a senior meteorologist at the UAE Meteorological Department.

Winds

He said Al Ain and the rest of the country would experience more sizzling heat in the days to come.

The hot June weather has swept across the emirates with temperatures mostly around 44C in most cities. The high humidity has compounded the conditions in certain cities, including Al Ain, by going as high as 65 to 90 per cent.

The forecaster said the temperature has shot up because of south-easterly winds coming in from the Empty Quarter in Saudi Arabia.

"This is natural during these days and the conditions are not unusual," said a meteorologist.

"This time of the year, the temperature is always above 40C," he pointed out.

The hot desert winds would also occasionally reduce the level of humidity in the coastal areas.

Early morning visibility is also expected to drop at times in the coming days due to fog and wind-blown dust.

The coastal areas of the UAE could experience foggy conditions in the morning, said the weatherman.

According to forecasts, the weather would be hazy at times today in general with clouds over the northern and eastern parts of the country.

The conditions would be hot and humid at night almost all over the UAE, particularly in the coastal cities.