Residents of the UAE are set to experience the longest day of the year on June 21, marking the beginning of ‘astronomical summer.’ This event coincides with the summer solstice, when one of Earth’s poles is tilted closest to the sun.
“On June 21, the country will experience the longest day of the year. Therefore, the air temperatures increase over most areas of the country. As summer begins, the mean temperatures increase approximately 2-3°C compared to May,” explained Dr. Ahmed Habib, a climate expert from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), in a Khaleej Times report.
The UAE has already seen temperatures surpassing 49°C, a clear indication of the intense heat residents can expect as summer progresses. Despite the scorching temperatures, intermittent rains are forecasted throughout June, offering some respite.
The summer solstice signifies a transition from the spring season, known locally as ‘Kanat Al Thuraya,’ which ends on June 7. This period is characterized by dry air and temperatures that typically exceed 40°C.
The most intense heat of the summer in the UAE usually occurs from mid-July to the end of August, driven by tropical air masses. This period can bring high humidity levels, reaching up to 90 percent, and occasional dust storms originating from the desert.
While the official summer season continues from June to September, the astronomical summer ends on September 22. The rise of the Suhail star in the third week of August traditionally signals the end of peak summer heat and the beginning of cooler autumn temperatures.
Climate experts also warn that global warming is extending the summer season. Dr. Diana Francis, Senior Research Scientist and Head of the Environmental and Geophysical Sciences Lab at Khalifa University, noted, “The summer will be extended every year by a few days with an increase in temperature. These were the results of our study on the subject, published in the paper titled, ‘Recent and projected changes in climate patterns in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region’.”