Climate of Dubai

Clouds over Dubai in winter.

Dubai has a tropical desert climate, Köppen classification Bwh, because of its location within the Northern desert belt. Summers are extremely hot and humid,^[1] with an average high around 41 °C (106 °F) and overnight lows around 30 °C (86 °F). Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are warm and short with an average high of 23 °C (73 °F) and overnight lows of 14 °C (57 °F). Precipitation, however, has been increasing in the last few decades with accumulated rain reaching 150 mm (5.91 in) per year.^[2] The weather in Dubai can bring short and irregular rainfall as is typical for the Middle East. Most of the rainfall occurs in the December to March period. The weather between December and March remains warm and is considered to be the most comfortable climatic conditions of the year.

Climate data

Seasonal climate

The climate of Dubai is warm and sunny due to its position near the line of the Tropic of Cancer.^[8] During the winter season it has an average daytime temperature of 25 °C (77 °F). Nighttime temperatures near the coastline range between 12 °C (54 °F)-15 °C (59 °F), while in the desert they are 5 °C (41 °F) with the nights being relatively cool throughout the year. Near coastal areas humidity averages between 50% and 60%. In the summer, the weather in Dubai is very hot, dry and humid, with temperatures reaching 45 °C (113 °F) for many days. Even the sea temperature reaches 37 °C (99 °F), with humidity averaging over 90%.^[8] Rainfall in Dubai is infrequent and does not last for a long period. It mostly rains during the winter period between December and March in the form of short downpours and an occasional thunderstorm. On average, rain falls only five days a year.^[8]

February is the wettest month in Dubai with an average of 35 millimetres (1.4 in) of rain.^[9] The weather in Dubai is extremely dry in the month of June with little or no rain.^[9] March and December also record some amount of rainfall. The rainfall during January, April, July, October and November are about average while the amount of rain in May, August and September are comparatively lower.^[9]

Climatic conditions by month

In January the average maximum daytime temperature in Dubai is 24 °C (75 °F). The average rainfall is 10 mm (0.4 inches) of, with rain generally falling on just two days of the month. While the average sea temperature in January is 22 °C (72 °F).^[10] On January 15, 2008 110 millimetres (4.3 in) of rain was recorded in 24 hours.^[11][12]

In February the average maximum daytime temperature in Dubai is 25 °C (77 °F). The average rainfall is 35 millimetres (1.4 in) during February. While the average sea temperature is 22 °C (72 °F).^[10]

In March the average temperature is 28 °C (82 °F), with moderate heat and humidity. The average rainfall is 27 millimetres (1.1 in) during March, with rain generally falling on just four days of the month. While the average sea temperature is 23 °C (73 °F).^[10]

In April the average daytime temperature is 32 °C (90 °F), with high heat and humidity. The average rainfall is 8 millimetres (0.31 in) with rain generally falling on just two days of the month. The average sea temperature in April is 24 °C (75 °F).^[10]

In May the average temperature is 38 °C (100 °F), with extreme heat and humidity. The average rainfall is 1 millimetre (0.039 in) during May, with rain generally falling on just one day of the month. The average sea temperature is 28 °C (82 °F).^[10]

In June the average temperature is 40 °C (104 °F), with extreme heat and humidity. There is very little chance of any rainfall in June. The average sea temperature in June is 31 °C (88 °F).^[10]

In July the average temperature is extremely high 42 °C (108 °F) with extreme heat and humidity. Average sea temperature in the month of July is 32 °C (90 °F).^[10]

In August the average temperature is 43 °C (109 °F), with extreme heat and humidity. There is very little chance of any rainfall during August. While the average sea temperature in August is 32 °C (90 °F).^[10]

In September the average temperature is 39 °C (102 °F), with extreme heat and humidity. There is very little chance of any rainfall during September. Average sea temperature in September is 32 °C (90 °F).^[10]

In October the average temperature is 36 °C (97 °F), with very high heat and humidity. The average sea temperature around Dubai Airport in October is 30 °C (86 °F).^[10]

In November the average temperature is 31 °C (88 °F), with high heat and humidity. On average only 3 millimetres (0.12 in) of rainfall may occur in November. Average sea temperature in November is 28 °C (82 °F).^[10]

In December the average temperature is 26 °C (79 °F), cool to warm with high humidity. The average rainfall during the month is 15 millimetres (0.59 in). With rain generally falling on just 2 days of the month. The average sea temperature in December is 25 °C (77 °F).^[10]

Sandstorms

During the summer season, a low pressure area develops over Dubai forcing strong north-westerly winds to blow from Saudi Arabia.^[13] These winds, also known as Shamal (north) in Arabic, become gusty and unpredictable on reaching Dubai. Shamal boost up the desert sand and reduce visibility and the sandstorms may last for several days.^[13] Following are some notable sandstorms that hit Dubai during the last few years.

• On April 18, 2008 a severe sandstorm hits Dubai and reduced visibility to 1,500 meters.^[14]
• On March 10, 2009 a moderate sandstorm reached Dubai which lowered down the visibility and temperature.^[15]
• On March 2, 2010 Strong winds caused sandstorms in Dubai and other regions of United Arab Emirates.^[16]
• On January 28, 2011 a sandstorm hit Dubai for a short time.
• On February 26, 2012 a strong sandstorm hit Dubai and other parts of the country
• On April 2, 2015 a very strong sandstorm hit Dubai and other parts of the country. It started to clear out closer to the evening. It reduced the visibility to 3000 metres.

References

External links

• Dubai weather - UAE's National Center of Meteorology and Seismology
• Weather of Dubai
• Dreamsofdubai
• Climate-Charts.com
• Dubai Climate Change Adaptation Plan - Emirates 24/7