Residents of the UAE can expect the official start of summer to kick in on June 21 as the summer solstice ushers in the longest day of the year. While this astronomical event brings peak sunlight exposure, it doesn’t always translate to an immediate temperature spike.
The summer solstice occurs when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer, placing the Northern Hemisphere at its closest tilt to the Sun. For the UAE, this alignment means longer daylight hours and increased solar radiation.
According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), while June is typically marked by rising heat—often between 47°C and 49°C—the solstice itself doesn’t cause a sudden surge. Instead, temperatures rise gradually, with June seeing a 2°C to 3°C average increase compared to May.
Humidity, especially in coastal areas, adds to the discomfort. As moisture-laden winds from the sea push inland, they raise the heat index, making it feel significantly hotter than recorded temperatures.
Though June 21 won’t necessarily be the hottest day, it marks a turning point where daylight stretches longer, and the UAE continues its steady march into the peak summer season.
