The UAE has officially recorded its hottest day of the year, with temperatures climbing to a searing 51.8°C in Sweihan, Al Ain, on Friday, August 1, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
This extreme heat was observed around 3pm, surpassing the previous high of 51.6°C recorded at the same location on May 24.
The country is currently in the grip of the Al Mirzam period, a seasonal phase running from July 29 to August 10 that typically brings the most intense heat of the year. Known locally as Waghrat al-Qayz, this period is marked by blazing temperatures and the presence of ‘samum’—dry, dusty desert winds notorious for amplifying discomfort.
Residents have been strongly advised to limit outdoor activities during daylight hours and remain in shaded or air-conditioned environments to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Adding to the unpredictability, certain regions across the UAE also experienced light rainfall, hail, and strong gusts of wind, raising questions among residents about the unusual mix of weather.
Dr. Ahmed Habib, meteorologist at the NCM, explained in a Khaleej Times report that the fluctuation is part of an expected seasonal pattern. “This is a normal phenomenon happening around this time of the year,” he said, noting that the mix of hot, dry days and intermittent rain usually occurs from mid-July to mid-August.
He attributed the erratic weather to overlapping systems, including low-pressure areas moving in from the east, moisture from the Arabian Sea, and the northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a key weather belt near the equator.
