The sweltering summer season in the UAE will officially come to a close on September 23, coinciding with the autumnal equinox, according to the country’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM). This astronomical event, which occurs when the sun is directly above the equator, signals the beginning of autumn and ushers in gradual changes in the country’s weather.
While daytime heat is expected to persist during the first half of the month, temperatures are forecasted to dip in the latter half—especially during nighttime. This seasonal shift comes as the Indian monsoon depression weakens, giving way to thermal lows from the desert, which may occasionally stir up dusty winds that impact visibility.
Parts of eastern UAE may also experience towering cumulonimbus clouds, which could bring localized rain and thunderstorms. Some of these weather events may even reach internal areas.
Daily wind patterns are expected to reflect the seasonal transition as well. During early mornings, southeasterly winds prevail, but by afternoon, the breeze typically shifts northwest due to natural sea and land air circulation. This shift also contributes to a slight uptick in humidity, with relative humidity averaging 49 percent throughout the month.
As humidity rises, particularly in the second half of September, the likelihood of fog and mist also increases. The NCM cited historical figures, such as June 2014, when 14 foggy and 12 misty days were recorded.
Climatological data for September shows that the average air temperature ranges from 32.3°C to 34.2°C, with maximums peaking between 38.5°C and 40.6°C. Cooler nighttime temperatures range from 26.8°C to 29.3°C.
In terms of historical weather extremes, Mukhariz recorded the highest September temperature at 51.1°C in 2016, while Jabal Jais experienced a chilly 16.5°C in 2015. Wind gusts can also become intense, with the highest recorded at 109.3 km/h in Al Ain Airport back in 2008. Meanwhile, the most rainfall for the month was logged in Jabal Hafeet in 2006, totaling 86.4 mm.
