The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached a temperature of 50°C on Friday. The highest temperature was registered in the Al-Shahmah area of Abu Dhabi at 2:30 PM.
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached a temperature of 50°C on Friday. The highest temperature was registered in the Al-Shahmah area of Abu Dhabi at 2:30 PM.
On Saturday, August 1st, clear and partly cloudy weather is forecast across the United Arab Emirates. In the afternoon, cloud development is expected over the eastern and southern parts of the country.
According to data from the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), the amount of cloud cover will increase by the end of the day, especially in the eastern and southern regions, while most of the country should maintain clear weather.
The wind will be light to moderate, initially blowing from the southeast and then gradually shifting to the northwest. Wind speeds are expected to be between 10 and 20 km/h, occasionally increasing up to 35 km/h.
Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman will remain minor. Previously, on July 31st, the highest temperature recorded in the country was 49.6°C in Sweihan (Al Ain) at 13:45 UAE local time.
For Saturday, maximum temperatures are predicted to reach up to 47°C in Abu Dhabi with a minimum of 30°C. Dubai is expected to have a temperature range from 31°C to 46°C, and Sharjah from 30°C to 46°C.
Earlier, the UAE experienced a peak of current rainy weather on Thursday, when recent precipitation brought relief to residents amidst the intense summer heat. The current weather system is expected to begin weakening and moving south starting Friday. The meteorological authority warned of possible convective cloud formation in some eastern and southern areas until 20:00 on Friday.
Some areas of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were under orange alert on Tuesday as the meteorological department warned of rain and hail until the evening. Additionally, the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued yellow warnings for several territories, informing about dust storms until 8:00 PM on Tuesday.
NCM reported that there is a possibility of convective clouds associated with precipitation, as well as temporary strong or fresh winds accompanied by cloudiness, which causes dust to rise. The dust storm was expected to blow at a speed of 45 km/h over some eastern and western areas, spreading to inland territories from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday.
The meteorological department strongly recommended residents to be vigilant when engaging in outdoor activities. On Tuesday afternoon, the Storm Centre account based in the UAE published a video recording of a dust storm and heavy rain in the Falaj area of the Eastern Region. Abu Dhabi Police urged drivers to exercise caution due to low visibility caused by strong wind and dust, and asked motorists not to be distracted by filming or using their phones while driving to ensure the safety of all road users.
Heavy precipitation also fell on various parts of the UAE, accompanied by hail in some places. Previously, Storm Centre shared videos of hailstones falling in Murbad, Fujairah, a city located near Masafeh and the Hajar Mountains.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention issued an advisory message listing measures to ensure safety during sandstorms. Residents are advised to stay indoors, especially children and patients with respiratory diseases. It is also recommended to use air purifiers and humidifiers indoors, and to wear a mask and protective glasses when going outside. Driving near sand dunes should be avoided, ventilation openings in the car's air conditioning system should be closed, and an emergency inhaler should be kept handy for asthmatics. If shortness of breath or persistent coughing occurs, one should consult the nearest medical center.
As the UAE prepares for the next long weekend, travelers are seeking vacation options that differ from usual beach destinations, preferring cooler and more scenic locations. Although Salalah remains a popular choice, it is no longer the only sought-after destination.
The upcoming national holiday in the UAE, expected on August 25th to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), may create conditions for a long weekend at the end of August. However, as travel agents in Dubai note, the main motive for trips is not so much the choice of location as the desire to change one's state and climate mid-year.
Ipsita Sharma from SCN Travel & More states that Salalah continues to be the main destination, but tourists are broadening their search, considering the mountains of Oman and more distant places such as Bhutan, Kathmandu, and the hilly terrain of Sri Lanka. She notes that the trips praised by tourists are usually related to gaining unique experiences, including misty journeys, secluded beaches, tea plantations, and Himalayan views.
Neha Joseph from Sharaf Travel believes that the capital of southern Oman still stands out. She emphasizes that Salalah represents the only true climatic anomaly within reach, as the Khareef season lowers the temperature in Dhofar to low 20°C, accompanied by mist, drizzle, and waterfalls, while the rest of the Persian Gulf exceeds 40°C. Thus, if one wants to experience the monsoon atmosphere, Salalah remains the closest analogue to a 'climate reset' for the UAE.
Besides Salalah, other attractive places include those that replace heat with higher altitudes or crowded locations with quieter, local relaxation. Ipsita recommends Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams for cool mountain retreats in Oman, as well as Bhutan, Kathmandu, Ella, and Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka, and underrated options like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Pondicherry for those looking for something more special.
Neha similarly advocates for Jebel Akhdar, describing the 'Green Mountain' as a 'true high-altitude escape, not a monsoon one,' offering cooler air, terraced farms, hiking trails, and villages on the edge of a cliff. She also points to Bandar Al Khayran—a fjord-like area of bays and inlets near Muscat—as a place worth visiting, especially for snorkeling, dolphin watching, and dhow cruises.
Regarding three-day weekends, both experts insist on not turning a short vacation into an airport marathon. Ipsita advises choosing a destination that matches the available time and believes that road trips or short tours in Oman make sense because they save precious hours. If flying is planned, she recommends choosing places with convenient connections and focusing on one region instead of trying to see too much.
In response, Neha adds that Salalah is less than a two-hour direct flight away, and for a three-day trip, the option with three nights is best, not two. She advises leaving early in the morning so that tourists can check in by noon and get two full days plus a relaxed morning, making the trip a vacation rather than a sprint.
However, Salalah's advantage comes at a cost: all other destinations possess similar appeal. Ipsita warns that during the Khareef season, hotels book up quickly, prices rise, and major attractions become overcrowded, so early booking and traveling on weekdays yield a noticeable effect. She also suggests deviating slightly from the standard route, as the most memorable moments often occur during such detours.
Neha advises residents to travel mid-week to avoid crowds and lower accommodation costs. She recommends going in late August or early September, after the peak decade has passed, and booking 4x4 excursions to more remote wadis and viewpoints.
