Dec 22 Solstice Marks Winter Start as NCM Warns of 96% El Niño Odds
Daytime mercury across Dubai and surrounding coastal districts continues to hover in the mid-30s, but the seasonal turn is officially on the calendar. The UAE’s astronomical winter begins with the winter solstice on Tuesday, December 22, setting off a season that runs through to the spring equinox in March.
Colder Days Ahead as Al Marba’aniyah and El Niño Take Shape
At the start of the astronomical season, daylight across the UAE drops to roughly 10 hours and 32 minutes. Climatically, traditional cooling sets in sooner. According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Board Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, the 40-day traditional Arab season known as Al Marba’aniyah runs from around December 7 to January 15, marking the true start of colder weather.
Typical December figures tracked by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) show maximum daily temperatures ranging between 22°C and 27°C, with nighttime minimums dropping to between 13°C and 17°C. However, this season carries a distinct weather profile: NCM forecast data indicates a 96 percent chance of El Niño conditions prevailing from November 2026 through March 2027, bringing above-average temperatures and an increased likelihood of rainfall.
The National Centre of Meteorology continues to monitor atmospheric shifts across the emirates as December approaches.
