The UAE is about to experience the highest point of Summer Heat with the onset of the hottest and driest season of the year, Jamrat Al Qayth, which will start from July 3. The Emirates Astronomical Society said the harsh weather stage is expected to last for 40 days, until 10 August. 

The first stars of the constellation Gemini appear in the pre-dawn sky at the start of the season. This is the worst summer conditions in the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula, according to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society. The temperature during this period is often over 45°C (to 46°C) in inland and desert regions, and may reach above 50°C during heat spells in some places. 

Daytime temperatures of 41°C to 43°C are also expected in coastal cities, where days are also dry and hot desert winds, locally known as Samoom, are prevalent. According to the weather experts, a heatwave is considered when the temperature is 4 degrees hotter than the average temperature for a given time of year for several days in a row.

What to Expect During the Summer Heat Period 

During Jamrat Al Qayth in the summer, hot and dry conditions are likely to be the norm throughout the country. Parked metal surfaces and vehicles in direct sunlight can heat up to 70°C, leading to a danger of burns and heat-related illnesses. At the end of the 40 days, moisture from the Arabian Sea can increase the humidity and contribute to the formation of convective clouds over the Hajar Mountains, which can trigger weather activity in some places locally. 

Authorities are still urging residents to drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun as much as possible in the afternoon hours, and take special precautions when working outside. Jamrat Al Qayth is an annual event known throughout the Arabian Peninsula and is the most severe part of the region’s summer climate.