The UAE will experience a noticeable dip in temperatures by mid-October, especially during nighttime and early mornings. According to Dr. Ahmed Habib from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), temperatures are expected to decrease by three to four degrees this month.
October marks one of the transitional periods between summer and winter, often bringing rapid shifts in weather. “Southeasterly winds are dominant during late nights and mornings but become northwesterly in afternoons and evenings due to land/sea breeze circulation,” Dr. Habib mentioned in a Khaleej Times report.
The month also sees high relative humidity, reaching around 51%, leading to increased chances of fog formation, especially during mid-nights and early mornings. Dr. Habib warns of potential foggy conditions and, in certain scenarios, even rainfall depending on atmospheric pressure systems.
However, while the temperatures might suggest the onset of winter, it is merely the autumn transition. “The weather fluctuates quickly during this season. For instance, conditions might be stable one moment and shift rapidly the next,” Dr. Habib explained. He further added that by October’s end, the influence of the Siberian high-pressure system becomes apparent, leading to increased cloud cover in eastern regions.
While October heralds the Al Wasem rainy season, making the UAE greener, Dr. Habib currently forecasts no rain or windy conditions in the coming days, only an uptick in fog in specific areas.
Historically, June 2017 recorded the most fog occurrences, while Al Shiweb received a record rainfall of 139.0 mm in October 2016.