UAE temperatures to reach 49°C Monday with dusty conditions before rain returns
Scorching heat approaching national records will grip inland areas Monday, with blowing dust and fog expected before convective clouds bring possible rainfall from Tuesday onward.
UAE temperatures to reach 49°C Monday with dusty conditions before rain returns
Inland areas of the UAE will experience sweltering temperatures reaching 49°C on Monday, just three degrees below the country's all-time record of 52°C set on Abu Dhabi's Al Yasat Island in 2010. The extreme heat comes alongside blowing dust and rising humidity before conditions shift toward a more unsettled weather pattern from Tuesday.
The National Centre of Meteorology, established in 2007 to provide unified meteorological services across all Emirates, forecasts fair to partly cloudy conditions for Monday with light to moderate winds strengthening at times to 40 km/h in inland regions. These winds are expected to raise dust and reduce visibility in some areas.
Coastal and island areas will see highs between 40°C and 45°C, while mountainous regions should remain cooler with temperatures ranging from 30°C to 37°C. August typically ranks among the hottest months in the UAE, with average temperatures in Dubai ranging from 36.5°C to 41°C and coastal highs frequently exceeding 40°C. The forecast 49°C represents conditions well above seasonal norms.
Seas will remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea on Monday. However, humidity will increase overnight and into Tuesday morning, bringing a chance of fog or mist formation over some coastal and internal areas.
Weather pattern shift expected Tuesday
Conditions are forecast to change beginning Tuesday, when clouds formed through atmospheric convection—where warm air rises through cooler air creating updrafts—could develop over eastern areas during the afternoon and bring rainfall. This phenomenon occurs when sufficient atmospheric moisture and energy are present, potentially producing thunderstorms.
Temperatures are expected to drop on Tuesday, particularly across western parts of the country. Winds may again reach 40 km/h, while the Arabian Gulf could become rough at times in western waters. The Oman Sea should remain slight.
Any rainfall would be significant for the UAE, which averages less than 200 millimeters of precipitation annually, making it one of the world's most arid regions. The country depends heavily on alternative water sources including desalination and groundwater, and conducts approximately 300 cloud seeding missions each year to supplement limited natural rainfall.
The chance of rain will continue on Wednesday, with convective clouds again possible over eastern areas during the afternoon. Humidity overnight could produce mist across some coastal and internal areas, while fresh winds may cause blowing dust in western regions.
Cooler conditions and continued rain chances
A further temperature drop is forecast for Thursday, when rain-bearing clouds could again form over eastern parts of the UAE. Fog or mist may develop overnight into Friday morning, while winds could reach 40 km/h.
By Friday, conditions are expected to remain fair to partly cloudy and hazy at times, with another chance of convective clouds and rainfall in eastern areas during the afternoon.
The recent extreme heat follows a pattern of intensifying temperature events in the UAE. In May 2025, the country recorded 51.6°C in Sweihan near Al Ain, marking the hottest May on record and coming within 0.4°C of the national all-time temperature record.
Residents are advised to take precautions during the peak heat hours on Monday and to monitor updates from the National Centre of Meteorology as the weather pattern evolves through the week.
