May weather in UAE: High temperatures and humidity signal transition to warmer season

Dubai: The weather across the UAE is currently warm with temperatures hovering between 40 to 44°C. Coastal cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are facing heightened humidity, intensifying the heat. The peak temperature of 46.2°C was recorded in Sweihan (Al Ain) at 1:45 pm.

As temperatures remain high, humidity levels are anticipated to reach 70 per cent, especially in coastal and internal regions, leading to a muggy night ahead.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Friday, 02 May 2025, we can expect fair conditions overall, with some partly cloudy periods at times. Winds will be light to moderate, originating from the southeast before shifting to the northwest. These winds may freshen at times, potentially causing blowing dust during the day, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 km/hr, and occasionally reaching up to 35 km/hr. As for the seas, they are expected to be slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

Gulf News spoke with Dr. Habib Ahmed, a senior meteorologist at the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), to discuss the changing weather in May. According to Dr. Ahmed, the air temperatures gradually increase across most parts of the country, with average temperatures rising by 3 to 5 degrees compared to April.

He added that this period is characterised by rapid change and variation of atmospheric pressure, thus leading to rapid changes in weather conditions.   

"In the UAE, May marks the beginning of the transition into the warmer season, and weather patterns shift noticeably. Typically, during May, we see rising daytime temperatures across the country, often ranging from 35°C to 40°C, with nighttime temperatures hovering around 25°C to 30°C.

Night temperatures may remain near 30°C, especially in urban and coastal areas where heat retention is significant," he added.

There's been a clear trend of increasingly hotter summers, which can be attributed to broader climate change impacts. This rise in temperatures is exacerbated by higher humidity, particularly along the coast. In May, humidity starts to rise. Inland regions tend to have lower humidity but experience even higher dry heat. High humidity dramatically increases the heat index—what we call the 'feels-like' temperature—pushing it to the mid-40s °C.

Sea temperatures also warm significantly, often reaching 34°C or higher, which contributes to steamy conditions along the coast. Wind conditions during May vary; coastal areas may experience occasional sea breezes, but overall, winds are generally light to moderate. In the desert, hot and dry winds—mainly the northeasterly winds—can stir up dust and sand, reducing visibility.