Climate of Dubai

The climate of Dubai is warm and sunny due to its position near the line of the Tropic of Cancer.[15] During the winter season it has an average daytime temperature of 25 °C (77 °F). Nighttime temperatures near the coastline range between 12 °C (54 °F) to 15 °C (59 °F), while in the desert they are 5 °C (41 °F) with the nights being relatively cool throughout the year. Near coastal areas humidity averages between 50% and 60%. In the summer, the weather in Dubai is very hot and humid, with temperatures exceeding 43 °C (109 °F) mainly in the months of July and August. The sea temperature could also reach 37 °C (99 °F), with humidity averaging over 90%.[15] Rainfall in Dubai is infrequent and does not last for a long period. It mostly rains during the winter period between November and March in the form of short downpours and an occasional thunderstorm. On average, rain falls only 25 days a year.[11]

February is the wettest month in Dubai with an average of 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain.[16] The weather in Dubai is extremely dry in the month of June with little or no rain; however, heavy rain with thunderstorm can unexpectedly fall on some days in June, despite it is being the driest month in Dubai, with an example being June 21, 2019.[17][16] March and December also record some amount of rainfall. The rainfall during January, April, July, October and November are about average while the amount of rain in May, August and September are comparatively lower.[16] The hottest month is August with the average high temperature exceeding 43 °C (109 °F). January is the coolest month with the highs of about 24 °C (75 °F) and lows of about 16 °C (61 °F). Dubai tends to be extremely hot and humid in the months of July and August, with temperatures hitting around 45 °C (113 °F), and with lows of barely less than 30 °C (86 °F), making it the most unpleasant time to visit Dubai. During the months of May, June, September, and October, temperatures are hot, but rather quite bearable, with highs of no more than 41 °C (106 °F) with lows of about 27 °C (81 °F) on average, making it an ideal time to visit the beach or swimming pool.[18][19]

In January the average maximum daytime temperature in Dubai is 24 °C (75 °F). The average rainfall is 10 mm (0.4 inches) of, with rain generally falling on just two days of the month. While the average sea temperature in January is 22 °C (72 °F).[21] January is also known for having days of unusual precipitation events . On January 15, 2008, 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain was recorded in 24 hours.[22]

In February the average maximum daytime temperature in Dubai is 25 °C (77 °F). The average rainfall is 35 mm (1.4 in) during February. While the average sea temperature is 22 °C (72 °F).[21]

In March the average temperature is 28 °C (82 °F), with moderate heat and humidity. The average rainfall is 27 mm (1.1 in) during March, with rain generally falling on just four days of the month. While the average sea temperature is 23 °C (73 °F).[21] Strong thunderstorms often hit the city during this month, which if followed by an increase in temperatures.

In April the average daytime temperature is 32 °C (90 °F), with high heat and humidity. The average rainfall is 8 mm (0.31 in) with rain generally falling on just two days of the month. The average sea temperature in April is 24 °C (75 °F).[21]

In May the average temperature is 37 °C (99 °F), with very high heat and humidity. The average rainfall is 1 mm (0.039 in) during May, with rain generally falling on just one day of the month. The average sea temperature is 28 °C (82 °F).[21]

In June the average temperature is 39 °C (102 °F), with very high heat and humidity. The average rainfall is less than 1 mm (0.039 in) during June, with a possible chance of rainfall that could be expected to fall on one of the days of the month.[23] The average sea temperature in June is 31 °C (88 °F).[21]

In July the average temperature is extremely high 42 °C (108 °F) with extreme heat and humidity. The average rainfall is about 1 mm (0.039 in) during July, with rain occasionally falling on just one of the days of the month. The average sea temperature in the month of July is 32 °C (90 °F).[21] Strong thunderstorms often quickly develop during these summer months and hit the outskirts of the city in areas such as DWC Airport, Al Lisaili, Lahbab, Al Khawaneej, Al Awir and Muhaisnah areas, especially during the late afternoon.[24]

In August the average temperature is extremely high 43 °C (109 °F), with extreme heat and humidity. The average rainfall is less than 1 mm (0.039 in) during August, with a possible chance of rainfall that could be expected to fall on one of the days of the month.[25] The average sea temperature in August is 33 °C (91 °F).[21]

In September the average temperature is 39 °C (102 °F), with very high heat and humidity. There is very little chance of any rainfall during September. Average sea temperature in September is 32 °C (90 °F).[21]

In October the average temperature is 36 °C (97 °F), with high heat and humidity. The average sea temperature around Dubai Airport in October is 30 °C (86 °F).[21]

In November the average temperature is 31 °C (88 °F), with moderate heat and humidity. On average only 3 mm (0.12 in) of rainfall may occur in November. Average sea temperature in November is 28 °C (82 °F).[21]

In December the average temperature is 26 °C (79 °F), cool to warm with high humidity. The average rainfall during the month is 15 mm (0.59 in). With rain generally falling on just 2 days of the month. The average sea temperature in December is 25 °C (77 °F).[21]

During the summer season, a low pressure area develops over Dubai forcing strong north-westerly winds to blow from Saudi Arabia. These winds, also known as Shamal (north) in Arabic, become gusty and unpredictable on reaching Dubai. Shamal boosts up the desert sand and reduce visibility and the dust storm sandstorms may last for several days. Notable sandstorms that hit Dubai during the last few years include:

• On April 18, 2008, a severe sandstorm hit Dubai and reduced visibility to 1,500 meters.[26]
• On March 10, 2009, a moderate sandstorm reached Dubai which lowered down the visibility and temperature.[27]
• On March 2, 2010, Strong winds caused sandstorms in Dubai and other regions of United Arab Emirates.[28]
• On January 28, 2011, a sandstorm hit Dubai for a short time.[29]
• On February 26, 2012, a strong sandstorm hit Dubai and other parts of the country.[30]
• On April 2, 2015, a very strong sandstorm hit Dubai and other parts of the country. It started to clear out closer to the evening. In some areas visibility use reduced to 500 metres.[31]
• On March 1, 2019, a strong sandstorm hit Dubai along with very strong winds after heavy rainfall, bringing temperatures down by 10 °C (50 °F).[32]
• On June 21, 2019, after scorching hot temperatures of about 49 °C (120 °F) in the afternoon, the weather broke down into a strong sandstorm, which eventually caused thunderstorms to rumble in parts of Dubai along with heavy rain, causing temperatures to drop sharply to about 32 °C (90 °F). This is one of the rarest rainfalls ever occurred in Dubai in the month of June.[33][34]
• From January 7 to around January 12, 2020, record-breaking rains hit Dubai and other regions of the UAE. The incessant storms brought strong winds and hailstorms and brought down temperatures severely. Unusually heavy rain hit Dubai, with rainfall reaching 150 mm/hour for 2.5 hours, according to preliminary reports, the storms also flooded various regions of the emirate, including the Dubai Airport, leading to the cancellation of most flights.[35]
• A cold wave hit the UAE from January 6 to 12, 2021. Temperatures dipped in Dubai as well. In the city temperatures dipped to 8 °C (46 °F) , and in the outskirts to 4 °C (39 °F). [36]
• Though Dubai is located in a tropical area, the city and its suburbs were never hit by a depression or cyclonic storm in its past 1000 years due to its geomorphological location; however, with the shift in climate patterns and climate change, this could soon change.

• Dubai weather – UAE's National Center of Meteorology and Seismology
• Weather of Dubai
• Dreamsofdubai
• Climate-Charts.com
• Dubai Climate Change Adaptation Plan – Emirates 24/7