Al Ain: The weather has taken a turn for the worse with sizzling hot conditions nearing 50 degrees Celsius in some UAE cities as forecasters on Sunday advised people to protect themselves by cutting down on activities in the open.
The pre-summer heat has reached extreme levels in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi emirate, and the southern and western areas of Al Ain. Areas in the south-west of Al Ain are facing the hottest time of the year with temperatures shooting beyond 49C.
According to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), the temperature reached 49.29C in Muzaria, followed by 48.77C in Hamim, 47.7C in Al Ain’s western town of Sweihan, 47.52C in Al Quaa, 47.58C in Mukhariz, 47.3C in Umm Al Zumool, and 47C in Al Rowdha. It was 45C in Al Ain city.
The sun is slightly less ferocious in coastal cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah where the temperature is hovering around 42C to 45C, but high level of humidity has been adding more to the human discomfort.
The human comfort index, said a forecaster, has gone down considerably across the emirates due to the seasonal high temperatures, bright sunny days and rising humidity. “Take protective measures since carelessness could prove hazardous,” the forecaster advised residents, asking them particularly to avoid strenuous activities in the open.
He said conditions are harsh and difficult for humans to withstand. The ground temperature, he said, is actually much higher. “It’s very hot we know but still not unusual,” said Adil Hassan, a meteorologist. Met offices, he said, give only the air temperatures that are recorded in a shaded area. Sunlight, high humidity, concrete and metal structures boost the radiant heat that increase the actual feel by up to three to four degrees, said Hassan.
June to August is the hottest time of the year in the UAE. A large segment of the population goes on holiday abroad to avoid the heat.
Meteorologists attribute the conditions to the heat cyclones in the Empty Quarter - a desert on the UAE-Saudi Arabian border. These cyclones are a usual phenomenon in the Arabian peninsula during this time of the year and south-easterly and south-westerly winds push the heat to the UAE.
According to the NCMS forecast, the weather will remain fair and hot in general during the daytime for the next 48 hours. It will be hazy and partly cloudy at times and remain relatively hot to mild at night. Winds will be light to moderately rough that may blow up sand and dust in open areas. Relative humidity is also expected to rise at night in the coastal areas.
