The UAE is entering a gradual transition toward cooler weather, with shorter hot spells expected to give way to lower temperatures, more frequent fog and increasingly comfortable evenings in the coming weeks.
The astronomical start of autumn will take place at 4:05 a.m. on September 23, when the Sun crosses the equator and begins its apparent journey toward the southern hemisphere. This period also marks the point when daytime and nighttime are approximately equal in length, after which nighttime hours gradually increase.
According to Gulf News, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, said average temperatures are expected to be about 39°C during the day and 26°C at night at the start of the season.
Those averages are expected to decline considerably as the season progresses. By early November, daytime temperatures typically reach around 31°C, while nighttime temperatures fall to approximately 18°C. Near the winter solstice on December 22, the averages are expected to be around 25°C during the day and 13°C at night.
From a meteorological perspective, however, autumn is already underway. Weather authorities classify September 1 as the beginning of the season because meteorological seasons are determined according to prevailing climate and temperature patterns.
September generally brings some relief from the most intense period of summer. Al Jarwan noted that peak summer conditions can see daytime temperatures exceeding 42°C, with overnight lows remaining above 29°C.
The next significant changes are expected to become more apparent from mid-October, when winter cloud formations usually begin to develop over the UAE. Rainfall opportunities also tend to increase during the latter part of autumn.
Humidity will remain an important feature during the first part of the season. Higher moisture levels overnight can lead to fog and dew developing during the early morning, particularly as temperatures begin to drop before sunrise.
The seasonal transition is also reflected in traditional Gulf weather observations. The Al Safri period, traditionally regarded as the opening phase of autumn, started on September 6 and runs through October 15. It marks the shift from the extreme heat of summer toward progressively cooler conditions.
The early part of Al Safri can still feel hot and humid, but temperatures generally become more manageable around the middle of October, particularly during the early morning. Increasing northerly winds can also contribute to cloud development over the country.
The change is not limited to weather conditions. The autumn period brings a different appearance to the pre-dawn sky, with Gemini, Taurus and Leo becoming more visible alongside stars and celestial features including Sirius, Canopus and the Pleiades.
The seasonal shift also has implications for agriculture. The first half of autumn is traditionally viewed as a favorable period for planting in parts of the Arabian Peninsula, as declining ground temperatures and longer moisture retention create more suitable conditions for sowing seeds and transplanting young plants.
Rainfall prospects could be another factor to watch this season. The National Centre of Meteorology has linked the developing strong El Niño in the Pacific with the possibility of above-average rainfall in the UAE, while emphasizing that the phenomenon affects the country indirectly.
The center said it continues to monitor atmospheric conditions and will issue information through its official channels if a significant weather system is expected to affect the UAE.
As temperatures gradually moderate, outdoor activities are also expected to become more practical across the country. Cooler evenings in October traditionally bring an increase in activities such as camping, barbecues and desert excursions.
