The UAE has moved into the most severe part of its winter cycle, with mid-January signalling the arrival of the Shabat season—a period traditionally associated with the year’s lowest temperatures and strongest cold spells, according to astronomers.
Reporting via Gulf News, the seasonal shift is expected to last 26 days, extending until February 10, and is widely recognised across the region as the point when winter conditions reach their peak.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences, said the sharpest cold is typically felt from January 15 onward, over an eight-day span locally referred to as “Bard Al Aziraq” or “Bard Al Bateen.” These days are known for particularly harsh conditions in open and desert areas.
He explained that this intense chill occurs within a longer cold window known as “Durr Al Sittin,” a period often described in Gulf folklore for its biting temperatures. The effect is amplified by northerly winds, which become more pronounced during another cold phase, “Durr Al Thamanin,” running from February 1 to 12.
Temperature records show that the coldest readings are usually logged between January 12 and 25. During this interval, early morning temperatures in inland regions frequently drop below 8°C and can occasionally fall under 5°C.
Al Jarwan attributed the seasonal plunge to the movement of cold air masses originating from Siberia and the Arctic, which travel through Europe before reaching the Arabian Peninsula.
He noted that Shabat is regarded as the second phase of winter in the region, characterised by stronger cold waves and increased wind activity. The season is divided into two astronomical star phases—Al Na’aem and Al Baldah—each lasting 13 days. As Shabat draws to a close, the intensity of the cold is expected to gradually subside, paving the way for milder conditions associated with the upcoming Scorpion season.
