UAE enters season of extreme heat as 'Jamrat Al Qayth' begins

Sharjah: The UAE is bracing for an intense stretch of extreme heat, with soaring temperatures, dry conditions, humidity, and strong winds expected to persist from July 3 to August 10, according to astronomers.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society and a member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences, said the period—known locally as “Jamrat Al Qayth”—marks the most blistering phase of summer in the Arabian Peninsula.

“This is the peak of heat and dryness across the region, where daytime temperatures in some desert areas may exceed 50°C, accompanied by hot, dry winds known as “Samoom”, Al Jarwan explained.

He noted the ongoing rotation of heat waves, defined as periods during which temperatures rise at least 3°C above seasonal norms and last for two or more consecutive days. These waves are often marked by an oppressive combination of high heat and parched air.

Among the most notable of these waves, historically recognised in Arab meteorological traditions, is the “Gale of the Pleiades,” which began on June 7 and concluded on July 2, aligning with the rising of the Pleiades star cluster and its celestial companion Aldebaran.

A new heat wave has already begun and is forecast to continue through July 28, with a subsequent surge in temperatures expected from July 29 to August 10.

Authorities are advising residents to take extra precautions during this period, limit exposure to the sun during peak hours, and stay well-hydrated.