UAE Sizzles at 51.2C: Highest Temperature Recorded
The UAE witnessed a scorching high temperature of 51.2°C on Wednesday, August 5, in Al Dhafra‘s Budu Dafs, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). This extreme heat is part of the country’s peak summer season, which is expected to continue until August 10. The NCM reported that the mercury rose to 50°C in Abu Dhabi’s Al Shawamekh on August 1, indicating the intense summer heat gripping the nation.
As the UAE experiences unstable weather conditions, convective clouds are forming, leading to rainfall and thunderstorms in eastern regions. The NCM expects this weather pattern to continue until Friday, August 7. Cloud-seeding flights have been conducted to enhance rainfall, and the centre has explained that intense summer heat encourages convective cloud development through surface heating. However, moisture, humid air masses, atmospheric instability, upper-air troughs, and favourable winds must also be present for thunderstorms and rainfall to develop.
The extreme weather has already caused heavy rains and stormwaters in Fujairah, with videos shared by Storm Centre showing the intense weather conditions. The NCM’s announcement comes as astronomy experts say that the rise of the Al Mirzam star, traditionally marking the peak of summer heat, in UAE skies signals the beginning of a transitional weather period.
The UAE’s peak summer season, also known as ‘Jamrat Al Qayth’ (the embers of summer), is currently drawing to an end. The NCM’s forecast indicates that the country can expect more rainfall in the coming days, bringing some relief from the extreme heat.
