Residents in the UAE can expect noticeable shifts in weather patterns as September ushers in the end of the sweltering summer season, according to the National Center of Meteorology (NCM).
Gulf News reported that the NCM confirmed a gradual decline in daytime temperatures and cooler nights, particularly in the second half of the month. The official start of autumn falls on September 23, when the sun crosses the equator and begins its journey southward toward the Tropic of Capricorn.
While the intense heat associated with the Indian monsoon low begins to weaken, the UAE may still experience warm gusts from central Arabia. These thermal extensions can stir up dusty conditions and reduce visibility due to relatively active winds.
Sea and land breezes will continue to influence the direction of daily winds—starting southeasterly in the early morning and shifting to northwesterly by late afternoon.
The NCM also highlighted the ongoing potential for convective cloud development and rain, especially in the eastern regions. Some rain showers may reach farther inland. Increased humidity, averaging 49 percent, could lead to fog or light fog formation, mainly during the latter part of the month.
September temperatures typically range between 32.3°C and 34.2°C, with highs peaking between 38.5°C and 40.6°C. The hottest temperature ever recorded for the month was a blistering 51.1°C in Mukhairez in 2016, while the coolest dipped to 16.5°C at Jebel Jais in 2015.
Average wind speeds hover around 11 km/h, but history shows gusts can spike dramatically. The most extreme wind recorded in September was 109.3 km/h at Al Ain Airport in 2008. Relative humidity can surge between 68 and 87 percent, while dropping to as low as 17 percent in drier periods.
September 2014 remains notable for its fog, logging 14 full days of heavy fog and 12 more with light fog. The highest rainfall ever recorded in the month was 86.4mm, which fell at Jebel Hafeet in 2006.
