Record-breaking heatwave in UAE: Thermometer reads 51.8 degrees Celcius following sandstorm warning
In the heart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the town of Al Ain and its neighbouring region Gasyoura experienced a peak temperature of 49°C earlier in the day, but the weather took an unexpected turn.
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) explains that the rain that falls in Al Ain during the hot summer months is primarily due to convective cloud formation. This phenomenon is driven by seasonal wind patterns, humidity, and the interaction between sea and land breezes. Despite temperatures reaching above 50°C, moisture from these breezes and the intense heat cause air to rise, cool, and condense, forming convective clouds that can produce brief rainfall.
In August, land and sea breeze cycles dominate the weather in the UAE, with humid southeasterly winds overnight and northerly winds during the day. These winds raise humidity and encourage convective cloud and rain formation, particularly in eastern and southern areas such as Al Ain. These convective clouds form as hot air rises rapidly due to intense surface heating during the day, cooling at higher altitudes and producing localized showers despite the overall scorching heat.
Al Ain's desert environment with high surface temperatures contributes to strong convection, supporting occasional short rainstorms even during peak summer heat. This was evident in the recent forecasts and severe heatwaves reaching record highs of 51.8°C, a temperature that Sweihan in Al Ain reached at 3pm on Friday. Interestingly, Sweihan once claimed the mantle of the hottest place on Earth after temperatures reached the same 51.8°C mark on June 6, 2021.
The weather conditions are not new for Sweihan, which has previously recorded temperatures above 50°C. The NCM issued a yellow alert due to high levels of dust and scorching temperatures, and the alert was in effect for large areas of the north-east until 7pm. Similar temperatures are expected across the UAE over the weekend.
Elsewhere in the UAE, Dubai is forecast to reach 46°C on Friday, while Abu Dhabi is expected to hit 45°C. The NCM figures revealed that the sizzling conditions occurred on a scorching afternoon. Climate change, along with other factors such as El Nino ending, have played a significant role in the record-breaking temperatures. This year has brought the hottest April and May on record in the UAE.
In a surprising twist, rain is predicted over the weekend, particularly in the south-east. This weather pattern, combining dust, heat, and occasional rain, reflects the complex climatic dynamics where intense heating triggers moisture uplift in an otherwise arid region. The NCM continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary.
- The climate in Al Ain, UAE, is influenced by seasonal wind patterns, humidity, and the interaction between sea and land breezes, resulting in rainfall even during the hot summer months.
- In August, convective clouds in the UAE, particularly in eastern and southern areas like Al Ain, are formed due to the rise of hot air caused by intense surface heating during the day and the subsequent cooling at higher altitudes.
- Despite the record-breaking temperatures reached in the UAE this year, climate change and other factors have played a significant role in these extreme weather conditions, making it the hottest April and May on record in the country.
- The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) predicts rain over the weekend, particularly in the south-east regions, showcasing the complex climatic dynamics of the UAE where intense heating can trigger moisture uplift in an otherwise arid region.
