The Arab world (UAE) is currently experiencing the end of the spring season where temperatures typically breach the 40°C-mark
The summer season in the UAE has well and truly begun, with temperatures crossing 49°C last week. There is respite for residents in the form of intermittent rains expected to fall in the UAE in June.
The so-called “astronomical summer” begins in the country in the third week of June. The season begins with the summer solstice, when one of the Earth’s poles is closest to the Sun. This is the longest day in the UAE.
“On June 21, the country will experience its longest day of the year, which is why temperatures are rising in most parts of the country. “With the onset of summer, the average temperature will increase by about 2-3°C until May,” says Dr. Ahmed Habib, climate expert at the National Center of Meteorology (NCM).
End of Qanat Al Turaya on June 7
Notably, the Arab world is currently witnessing the end of spring, known as “Qanat Al Turaya,” during which temperatures usually exceed 40°C. This mark has already been exceeded by a large margin. The season is expected to continue until June 7.
During this time, the air is usually dry and humidity decreases.
Scorching summer in mid-July
The experts also highlighted that the UAE, located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, is mainly dominated by tropical air masses.
The most intense summer period usually starts in mid-July and lasts until the end of August. In addition to high temperatures, humidity can rise to 90% and there can be sandstorms from the desert.
These storms sometimes produce strong gusts of wind that scatter clouds of hot sand over the city.
Meanwhile, Habib explained that summer in the UAE officially lasts from June to September. Astronomically speaking, the summer season ends on September 22.
The much-celebrated Suhail Star rises in the third week of August, signalling the end of the peak of summer heat. Temperatures are also gradually dropping as we move towards autumn.
Global warming extends summer
However, climate experts are also changing their predictions for the MENA region as record rainfall occurred in the country on April 16.
They suggest that until the end of the 21st century, the climate will become warmer and drier each year, with more extreme weather events.
Dr. Diana Francis, senior research fellow at Khalifa University and director of the Institute of Environmental Geophysical Sciences (ENGEOS), previously said.
“Summer will be extended by a few days (each year) and temperatures will rise.” These are the findings of our research on the subject, published in an article titled “Recent and projected changes in climate patterns in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).”