Climate in Dubai by month

What is the best month to visit Dubai for a desert safari, and what is the perfect season for a beach holiday? In this article, we will review the features of the UAE climate and figure out which time of the year is best for visiting Dubai for different purposes of tourist or business trips.

The territory of the United Arab Emirates is located in the tropical climate zone, while in the north it adjoins the subtropical climate zone. High temperatures and pronounced seasonal patterns are typical for countries located at this latitude. Many tropical countries have rainy seasons during which most of the annual precipitation falls and even floods occur.

There are no tropical downpours in the Emirates, since about 80 percent of the country’s area is desert. The sands do not retain moisture and most plants do not take root well, which is why the climate of the UAE is dry and hot, and the amount of precipitation is minimal.

The Emirates’ authorities direct significant resources to the landscaping process, creation of water reservoirs and development of coastal ecosystems in order to create a more comfortable climate. Nature reserves with lakes and green oases now occupy about 14 percent of the country’s area, but the desert’s influence on the climate of the UAE remains significant.

In some months, Dubai can experience a sandstorm, and in others — face extremely high humidity on the coast of the Persian Gulf. To choose the best time for a vacation or a business visit, it is worth checking the statistics of air humidity and temperature. We will tell you about the climate in Dubai by month in the next section.

UAE Climate and Weather by Month and Region

Six of the seven emirates — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah — are located on the flat coast of the Persian Gulf, and the weather conditions in all six of them are quite similar. The seventh emirate, Fujairah, is located on the mountainous eastern coast of the UAE near the Gulf of Oman. Therefore, the average air and water temperature in Fujairah is always about 5 degrees lower than in other regions.

The Emirates are warm all year round: according to the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the average annual temperature is 28°C, and the maximum reaches 48°C on the coast and 50°C in the desert. An average of 100 millimetres of precipitation falls per year with 360 sunny days. In coastal areas, air humidity can reach up to 90 percent, but the national average is about 55 percent.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the emirate of the same name, has historically been the greenest region in the country. It is located on a natural archipelago of over 200 islands. The territories of some of them are closed for development, as national parks are located here. Cheetahs, giraffes and antelopes are found in the reserves of the UAE, and flocks of flamingos and herons settle on the shores of lakes in oases.

In terms of natural diversity, Dubai was initially inferior to the neighbouring emirate. The metropolis with modern architecture and green parks, as we know Dubai now, was founded and continues to expand in the desert.

By developing available areas, the Dubai authorities invest in infrastructure development, while also changing the landscape by creating numerous nature reserves, artificial islands and new coastline contours. These changes affect the coastal current’s direction as well as the climate in the UAE as a whole, making it more favourable and attractive for both tourists and local residents.

UAE Winter Climate

Daytime temperatures in Dubai can range from 23°C to 48°C by month; it all depends on the location, whether it is a desert or a sea coast. From October to May Dubai experiences comfortable weather with moderately hot days turning into pleasantly cool nights.

Winters in Dubai are mild, with a comfortable air temperature reaching 25°C during the day and never falling below 14°C at night. In December, Dubai has the highest level of air humidity in the year, although it is not considered high in general and is only up to 60 percent. During the four winter months, from December to March, Dubai receives nearly all of its annual rainfall.

In winter, the emirate has favourable conditions for walking and outdoor activities. From the second half of December, the weather is no longer suitable for swimming, as the sea water temperature is only 18°C — 20°C, and the wind speed on the coast can reach 10 metres per second. On the other hand, the winter season is ideal for lovers of outdoor activities and long walks: at this temperature it is comfortable to spend a lot of time outdoors.

By the end of December, air humidity and temperature decrease and in January and February they reach an annual minimum. Swimming in the sea is not recommended, as the water is not warm enough and there are strong waves. At the beginning of the year, it is beneficial to plan shopping in Dubai, as the annual sales run from 24 January to 24 February.

Despite the fact that the maximum amount of precipitation falls in January — an average of 17 mm — it rains on average only two days. Strong winds coupled with the lowest daytime temperature of the year — around 19°C — make this month not the most pleasant for sea holidays. Instead, ecotourism gains popularity in January, as this is the ideal month for trips to farms, nature reserves and natural parks. A full list of locations suitable for agritourism can be found on the website of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

In February, the wind speed gradually subsides, and during the day air temperature rises to 25°C, although the sea water temperature is the coldest this month. Most hotels have heated pools for swimming during the cold season. For those wishing to relax on the beach, excursions to neighbouring Oman are available, where the sea is much warmer.

UAE Spring Climate

Spring in Dubai is best for outdoor activities and various excursions. Due to the mild climate of the UAE, winter here turns smoothly into summer, with a gradual increase in daytime temperatures.

At the beginning of spring, the sea water temperature is still too cold for swimming; however, it warms significantly during the second half of the season, when the water temperature during the day reaches 23°C, and the air heats up to 27°C. The weather would almost feel like summer, if it were not for the winter wind, subsiding only in April.

Exhausting heat has not yet set in, and the water temperature of 25°C is suitable for children. There is almost no precipitation in April; however, there are fogs in the early morning and in the evenings, which can sometimes hide the view from the high-altitude observation decks of Dubai. These fogs mark the change of seasons.

In May, Dubai usually has the lowest relative humidity of about 42 percent. Until November, there will be practically no rain, and the likelihood of a sandstorm is minimal. Therefore, the season is suitable for both active and beach holidays. The water in the sea is guaranteed to be warm now, reaching 28°C during the day.

In the first half of May, you can still go on excursions during the day without the risk of a heat stroke. However, from the second half of the month, it becomes dangerous to stay outdoors in the sun for a long time as the air temperature rises to 38°C. The heat is much easier to bear by the sea due to the light breeze.

The downside of choosing Dubai as a May holiday destination is that most of the hotels and water parks are closed for maintenance in May, so the choice of tours will be limited.

UAE Summer Climate

In the summer, daylight time in the UAE lasts for 13 hours with the sun setting at about 7:00 pm. Although there is no rain during the summer in Dubai, the air is still humid due to the proximity of the Persian Gulf, so the heat is hard to bear.

In early June, you can still sunbathe and swim until about 10 am, while in the second half of the month a heat wave comes to the UAE. The average daily temperature in July and August is 35°C, rarely dropping below 40°C during the day.

The summer heat in Dubai rapidly gains momentum in July. The air temperature during the day can easily reach 42°C, and the water temperature in the Persian Gulf can warm up to 35°C. At night, the heat drops insignificantly by only about 10 degrees. A temperature record of 48.5°C was recorded in Dubai in July 2012.

August is the most extreme month to choose for visiting the UAE. The air temperature consistently reaches 42°C — 44°C and the sea does not cool down even at night. During the day it can be difficult to stay outside for more than half an hour. Sunbathing becomes dangerous even during the early morning hours due to the high risk of sunburns and even hypoxia, which can develop when the oxygen levels in the hot air drop.

To protect residents and guests of the emirate from the heat, buses, subway cars and even public transport stops in Dubai are equipped with air conditioning. However, a rapid change of temperature from 40°C outdoors to 20°C indoors can also be harmful to health.

During peak temperatures, the UAE authorities impose safety restrictions: on certain days it is prohibited to go outside from 10 am to 3 pm. Local residents prefer to go on vacation to other countries during this time.

The advantage of visiting the UAE in the summer is significant discounts on accommodation and entertainment. However, many entertainment centres in the emirate are closed until autumn.

UAE Autumn Climate

Autumn is the best time of the year for a tourist trip to the UAE and, in particular, to Dubai. In September, the summer heat still persists, but the coast gradually cools. It is no longer dangerous to stay outside for prolonged periods of time.

While the first half of September in the UAE can be no different from the exhausting summer, the second half of the month is much more pleasant to spend on the beach. During this time, it is good to be in Fujairah in particular, where the cool winds from the mountains are especially pleasant to feel on the skin after swimming in warm water.

October in Dubai shows average daytime temperatures of around 30°C, while the water near the coast cools down to 27°C, so swimming in the sea no longer feels like diving into a hot tub.

In November, daytime air temperatures drop to 32°C — 35°C, and the water temperature is about 25°C. It is the time when winter winds come to Dubai. Although November is considered rainy, precipitation falls only 3-4 times a month and is usually short-lived.

It is also worth noting that November is the main month for cultural and business events in the emirate. According to the Ten Times calendar, international festivals, exhibitions and conferences are most often held during the cool period from September to October, and in November, major events in Dubai gather representatives of the IT sphere, healthcare, science and education, business and finance, as well as real estate, architecture and design professionals.

Sandstorms in the UAE

Despite the fact that the government is actively cultivating the soil, part of the emirate is still subjected to a typical desert phenomenon — sandstorms. They often happen in the summer and usually last two days. In recent years, several large sandstorms (called «haboob» in Arabic) have occurred in Dubai as well as in the rest of the UAE.

In the summer, an area of low pressure is formed over Dubai, while a northwest wind (called «shamal» or «north» in Arabic) blows continuously from the territory of Saudi Arabia. These are the origins of sandstorms. Since ancient times, local residents have noticed the movements of shamals and built their cities accordingly, orienting the houses to the northwest to improve ventilation.

Passing over the desert, a shamal picks up light particles of sand and, raising them high above the ground, blows a sand cloud to Dubai. The resulting storm can last for several days, during which traffic can be difficult due to poor visibility.

The sand cloud’s size depends on the wind’s strength. Moving at a speed of 25-30 kilometres per hour, the wind lifts the sand up to 15 metres in the air. In rare cases, the wind accelerates to a storm speed of 100 kilometres per hour, and then the sand cloud can reach several kilometres in height.

Nowadays, the risk of encountering a storm all of a sudden is quite low, as meteorologists can predict not only the sandstorm itself, but also its speed and duration. An early warning leaves enough time for a person to close all windows and doors in the house, cover the car, and remove all personal belongings and plants from the terrace. Before the storm arrives, locals remove the carpets, put AC units into indoor recirculation mode, and turn on air humidifiers.

Sand dust does not usually cause health problems, however it can aggravate the condition of people with respiratory problems and allergies. After the storm, locals meticulously clean their homes, as the desert wind brings particles of bacteria along with the sand.

What Makes the UAE Climate Favourable for Tourists?

You can visit Dubai during any time of the year, if you follow weather recommendations. There is almost no rain here, the daytime temperature does not drop below 23°C throughout the year, and all buildings, public transport and taxis have AC units.

High solar activity can be both an advantage and a risk factor when travelling to Dubai. In order to make the most of your trip in terms of pleasant memories, you need to follow the safety rules when staying in the sun and take into account individual recommendations for health reasons. General advice: use sunglasses with UV lenses and high SPF cream, wear head-gear and drink water regularly.

The Dubai weather website provides information on temperature and precipitation as well as on the UV index and air pollution levels (AQI) by area at different times of the day. According to observational statistics, the highest level of air pollution in Dubai is in the Downtown area. As you move away from the business districts, the AQI levels drop significantly, and the best air quality is registered in Dubai Marina.

Depending on the purpose of your trip, you can choose the perfect time for visiting the UAE. If your main goal is a beach holiday on the coast of the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, then the end of autumn and the beginning of winter are your best options. At this time, there are many offers available from hotels, tour organisers and amusement parks.

A suitable period for outdoor activities, safaris, excursions to eco-farms and national reserves is from December to March, when the weather is relatively cool in Dubai. If you want to combine an excursion program with shopping, you should focus on the beginning of the year, as the annual sales are held in Dubai from 24 January to 24 February.

In the winter, moderate humidity and low daytime temperatures in Dubai are more comfortable for excursions and walks than the humid and hot climate in the resorts of Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Thailand and Vietnam. Additionally, the climate of the UAE has another advantage over the humid tropics: tourists are safe from insect bites in the Emirates.

It is best to plan business trips to Dubai for autumn, when the largest international exhibitions and industry conferences take place in the emirate. In order to complement the working meetings in Dubai with a cultural program, you can follow the announcements on the visitdubai website. The calendar of events in all emirates is available on the website of the UAE government.

Author: Aleksandra Savina