The UAE’s hottest stretch of summer is approaching its final phase, with a key date in August marking the traditional start of cooler conditions
If you’ve been counting down the days until the UAE’s summer heat starts to ease, there’s some good news on the horizon.
The traditional peak summer season begins on August 11 and runs until September 3. This period is known as Marakhiyat Al Qalaid and marks the closing chapter of the region’s traditional summer season.
However, don’t expect temperatures to drop overnight. The start of this period can still bring some of the UAE’s most intense heat, as the ground and atmosphere continue to hold onto the heat built up throughout the summer.
So, when does it start getting cooler?
The big seasonal marker to look out for is August 24, when Suhail, traditionally becomes visible before sunrise in the south-eastern sky.
For generations, the appearance of Suhail has been seen as a sign that the UAE are beginning to move away from the peak of summer.
After Suhail appears, temperatures are traditionally expected to gradually ease, while humidity can increase and early morning fog and cooler nights become more common, particularly in inland areas.
Why is Suhail important?
The appearance of Suhail has long been used across the Arabian Peninsula as a natural seasonal calendar.
Before modern weather forecasting, communities looked to the stars to help identify changes in the seasons, including shifts in temperatures and expected rainfall.
According to Al Jarwan, around 45 days after Suhail appears, day and night become almost equal in length. Winter is traditionally considered to begin around 100 days after the star’s appearance.
So while the UAE still has plenty of summer ahead, August 24 is traditionally seen as an important turning point.
The countdown to cooler UAE weather is officially on.
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