UAE braces for 47°C temperatures as humidity and fog return to coastal areas

UAE braces for 47°C temperatures as humidity and fog return to coastal areas

The UAE faces another sweltering day on Saturday, September 12, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 47°C in inland areas, while increasing humidity overnight raises the likelihood of fog formation across coastal and inland zones.

The National Centre of Meteorology, established in 2007 under the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, forecast Liwa to record the country's highest temperature at 47°C, with Al Ain reaching 45°C. While these figures represent scorching conditions, they remain below the UAE's all-time record of 52.1°C set in Al Ain in July 2002. Liwa routinely experiences temperatures in the mid-40s to lower 50s Celsius during summer months, and September's highest-ever temperature of 51.1°C was recorded in Mukhairez in 2016.

Weather conditions are forecast to be fair to partly cloudy, with convective clouds possibly forming over eastern and southern areas during afternoon hours. Abu Dhabi is expected to reach 42°C with a low of 30°C, while Dubai will see similar conditions with a high of 42°C and overnight temperatures dropping to 29°C.

Sharjah and Ajman are forecast to reach 41°C, while Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah could hit 42°C. Fujairah, benefiting from its coastal location, is expected to see cooler conditions with temperatures reaching 35°C. Inland locations Ruwais and Al Sila are forecast at 41°C, with Dalma potentially reaching 40°C.

Humidity and fog conditions

Relative humidity is expected to increase significantly by Saturday night and into Sunday morning, creating conditions conducive to fog or mist formation over coastal and inland areas. Maximum humidity could reach 90% in Abu Dhabi, Liwa, Ruwais, Al Sila and Dalma, while Dubai and Sharjah may see levels up to 85%.

These humidity levels, while high, fall within the upper range of typical September conditions. NCM climatological data shows the month averages 49-50% relative humidity, with typical peaks between 68-87% and minimums between 17-29%.

The forecast fog conditions arrive as the UAE enters its peak fog season, which typically runs from mid-September through mid-November, with October among the most active months. September 2014 holds the record for the foggiest month in UAE history, with 14 full days of fog and 12 days of light fog.

Radiation fog, which accounts for approximately 95% of all fog recorded in the Emirates, forms when warm, moisture-laden air from the Arabian Gulf meets rapidly cooling desert surfaces after sunset. The Gulf's average water temperature of approximately 33°C during summer months provides a continuous source of moisture that, when combined with overnight cooling, creates ideal fog conditions. Dust particles suspended in the atmosphere serve as condensation nuclei, providing surfaces for water vapour to cling to as it transforms into droplets.

Wind and sea conditions

Winds are forecast to be light to moderate, blowing from the south-east to north-east at speeds of 10 to 25 km/h, occasionally strengthening to 40 km/h. These relatively light wind conditions can actually facilitate fog formation and settling, as research based on Abu Dhabi International Airport data indicates that gentle breezes help fog develop, while stronger winds tend to disperse it before it can thicken.

The Arabian Gulf will be slight to moderate at times, with the first high tide expected at 2.17pm, followed by a second at 1.59am. Low tides are forecast at 7.45am and 7.50pm. Conditions in the Oman Sea will also be slight to moderate, with high tides at 10.18am and 10.58pm, and low tides at 4.38pm and 4.46am.

Extended forecast

Sunday is expected to bring similar conditions, remaining fair to partly cloudy with clouds appearing over eastern areas. Humidity will again increase overnight and into Monday morning, maintaining the possibility of fog or mist over coastal and inland zones.

The pattern continues into Monday and Tuesday, with partly cloudy skies, elevated overnight humidity and the chance of fog or mist during early morning hours, as the country settles into characteristic mid-September weather patterns.