United Arab Emirates Weather

United Arab Emirates climate

The United Arab Emirates has a hot desert climate that ranks among the most extreme on Earth. Summer temperatures from June through September regularly exceed 45°C, with humidity along the coast creating dangerous heat index values above 60°C. The Persian Gulf's warm waters provide little relief, with sea surface temperatures reaching 36°C in summer — some of the warmest ocean waters in the world.

Winter from November through March offers the only comfortable outdoor conditions, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C and clear blue skies. Rainfall is extremely scarce, averaging just 78mm per year, though occasional intense downpours can cause significant flash flooding in a country not designed for heavy rain. Shamal winds periodically bring dust storms that reduce visibility to near zero and disrupt air travel.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi experience extreme summer heat with high humidity near the coast, while the inland desert areas like Al Ain have drier heat with larger day-night temperature swings. The Hajar Mountains in the eastern UAE reach over 1,900 meters and receive slightly more rainfall, supporting scattered agriculture. Fog is common along the coast during winter mornings, sometimes closing airports and highways. Cloud seeding has been employed to increase precipitation in this water-scarce nation.