The Al Mirzam period, known for its blistering winds and scorching heat, ended on August 10, but residents shouldn’t expect a sudden shift to cooler days just yet. Experts told Khaleej Times that while the season’s close is a traditional marker of change, the real relief will only be gradual.
Dr Ahmed Habib, meteorologist at the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), explained that minor changes are expected from next month. “From September 1, nighttime temperatures will start decreasing,” he said in a Khaleej Times report. According to him, the daily wind pattern strongly influences how hot or bearable the weather feels. Mornings bring land breezes that provide some relief, but by afternoon, sea breezes push warmer air inland, raising the heat.
Convective clouds can also bring temporary relief with fresh winds, though they often cause dusty conditions. Habib noted that coastal areas may see a slight dip to around 44–45°C this week, but inland regions could still reach highs of 47°C.
Khadijah Hasan Ahmed, Operations Manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group, stressed that the end of Al Mirzam does not mark any astronomical event that could cause an immediate cooldown. “Meteorologically, August remains the hottest month in the UAE, with average highs around 41°C and lows around 31°C. This means it is still peak summer,” she said.
Traditionally, desert communities looked to signs such as the rising of the star Suhail (Canopus) around late August as an indicator of seasonal change. However, Ahmed pointed out that while such markers once guided daily life, climate change has made them less reliable. “Temperatures have risen by about 2.7°C in parts of the UAE since the 1970s, and weather patterns are less predictable,” she explained.
The real comfort, she added, usually arrives from late September into October, when daytime highs fall into the mid-30s, with the cooler season settling in by December.
