Climate of Dubai
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Dubai_Skyline_on_10_January_2008.jpg/270px-Dubai_Skyline_on_10_January_2008.jpg)
Dubai has a hot desert climate. Dubai has two distinct seasons - summer and winter. Summer in Dubai begins around the last week of April and ends around the first week of October. This period is characterized by hot weather, warm winds and high humidity. Due to the city's close proximity to the sea the temperatures in Dubai are milder in summer in comparison to other Gulf cities such as Kuwait City and Riyadh. However this means the city has a high humidity which can make the weather very unpleasant. Rainfall is scarce during the summer months, but the windy conditions ensure there are frequent dust storms. Temperatures regularly climb above 38 °C (100 °F) during this period and fall to around 26 °C (79 °F) overnight. Winter in Dubai begins around the last week of October and lasts until the beginning of April. The winter season has the most pleasant weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Most of the precipitation takes place during this season. Strong thunderstorms are not uncommon to the city during this period, this is accompanied by strong north-westerly winds and lower temperatures. Average daytime high during the winter season is around 22 °C (72 °F) with overnight lows of 12 °C (54 °F). Rainfall has been increasing over the past few decades accumulating to 130 mm (5.12 in) per year.[1]
The urban heat island effect does have its toll on Dubai as well, for example during the winter months when temperatures regularly fall to around 5 °C (41 °F) in the outskirts of the city and its suburbs, the temperatures in Central Dubai rarely fall below 9 °C (48 °F). This can be clearly seen when comparing weather data from the city's two airports - Dubai International and Dubai World Central. The highest temperature recorded in Dubai is 48.2 °C (119 °F) reached in July 1996.[2] Whereas the lowest recorded temperature in Dubai is 1 °C (34 °F).
Classifications
Climatic scheme | Initials | Description |
---|---|---|
Köppen system[3][4][5] | Template:Redback | Hot desert climate[a] |
Trewartha system[6] | BWh | Desert climate |
Alisov system[7] | — | Tropical climate[b] |
Strahler system[8] | — | Dry tropical climate |
Thornthwaite system[9] | Arid and megathermal | |
Neef system[10][11] | — | Dry climate of trade winds |
Climate data
Climate data for Dubai | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 31.6 (88.9) |
37.5 (99.5) |
41.3 (106.3) |
43.5 (110.3) |
47.0 (116.6) |
46.7 (116.1) |
49.0 (120.2) |
48.7 (119.7) |
45.1 (113.2) |
42.0 (107.6) |
41.0 (105.8) |
35.5 (95.9) |
49.0 (120.2) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 23.9 (75.0) |
25.4 (77.7) |
28.3 (82.9) |
33.0 (91.4) |
37.7 (99.9) |
39.5 (103.1) |
40.9 (105.6) |
41.3 (106.3) |
38.9 (102.0) |
35.4 (95.7) |
30.6 (87.1) |
26.2 (79.2) |
33.4 (92.2) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 19.1 (66.4) |
20.5 (68.9) |
23.0 (73.4) |
27.0 (80.6) |
31.4 (88.5) |
33.4 (92.1) |
35.5 (95.9) |
35.9 (96.6) |
33.3 (91.9) |
29.8 (85.6) |
25.4 (77.7) |
21.2 (70.2) |
28.0 (82.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 14.3 (57.7) |
15.5 (59.9) |
17.7 (63.9) |
21.0 (69.8) |
25.1 (77.2) |
27.3 (81.1) |
30.0 (86.0) |
30.4 (86.7) |
27.7 (81.9) |
24.1 (75.4) |
20.1 (68.2) |
16.3 (61.3) |
22.5 (72.4) |
Record low °C (°F) | 1.5 (34.7) |
6.9 (44.4) |
9.0 (48.2) |
13.4 (56.1) |
15.1 (59.2) |
18.2 (64.8) |
20.4 (68.7) |
23.1 (73.6) |
16.5 (61.7) |
15.0 (59.0) |
11.8 (53.2) |
8.2 (46.8) |
1.5 (34.7) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 18.8 (0.74) |
25.0 (0.98) |
22.1 (0.87) |
7.2 (0.28) |
0.4 (0.02) |
0.2 (0.01) |
0.8 (0.03) |
0.2 (0.01) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.1 (0.04) |
2.7 (0.11) |
16.2 (0.64) |
94.7 (3.73) |
Average precipitation days | 5.5 | 4.7 | 5.8 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 25.5 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 251 | 241 | 270 | 306 | 350 | 345 | 332 | 326 | 309 | 307 | 279 | 254 | 3,570 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 8.1 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 10.2 | 11.3 | 11.5 | 10.7 | 10.5 | 10.3 | 9.9 | 9.3 | 8.2 | 9.8 |
Source 1: Dubai Meteorological Office[12] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: climatebase.ru (extremes)[13] |
Climate data for Dubai | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average sea temperature °C (°F) | 20.9 (69.6) |
20.6 (69.1) |
22.3 (72.1) |
25.0 (77.0) |
28.5 (83.3) |
31.2 (88.2) |
32.2 (89.0) |
32.8 (91.0) |
31.9 (89.4) |
29.7 (85.5) |
27.1 (80.8) |
23.3 (74.0) |
27.1 (80.8) |
Average Ultraviolet index | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11+ | 11+ | 11+ | 11+ | 11+ | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 9.1 |
Source #1: seatemperature.org[14] | |||||||||||||
Source #2: Weather Atlas[15] |
Seasonal climate
The climate of Dubai is warm and sunny due to its position near the line of the Tropic of Cancer.[16] 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) to 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 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%.[16] 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.[16][contradictory]
February is the wettest month in Dubai with an average of 35 millimetres (1.4 in) of rain.[17] The weather in Dubai is extremely dry in the month of June with little or no rain.[17] 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.[17]
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).[18] On January 15, 2008 110 millimetres (4.3 in) of rain was recorded in 24 hours.[19]
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).[18]
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).[18]
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).[18]
In May the average temperature is 37 °C (99 °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).[18]
In June the average temperature is 39 °C (102 °F), with extreme heat and humidity. The average rainfall is less than 1 millimetre (0.039 in) during June, with a possible chance of rainfall that could be expected to fall on one of the days of the month.[20] The average sea temperature in June is 31 °C (88 °F).[18]
In July the average temperature is extremely high 42 °C (108 °F) with extreme heat and humidity. The average rainfall is less than 1 millimetre (0.039 in) during July, with a possible chance of rainfall that could be expected to fall on one of the days of the month. The average sea temperature in the month of July is 32 °C (90 °F).[18]
In August the average temperature is 43 °C (109 °F), with extreme heat and humidity. The average rainfall is less than 1 millimetre (0.039 in) during August, with a possible chance of rainfall that could be expected to fall on one of the days of the month.[21] The average sea temperature in August is 32 °C (90 °F).[18]
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).[18]
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).[18]
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).[18]
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).[18]
Sandstorms
This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2018) |
During the summer season, a low pressure area develops over Dubai forcing strong north-westerly winds to blow from Saudi Arabia. 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 dust storm sandstorms may last for several days. Notable sandstorms that hit Dubai during the last few years include:
- On April 18, 2008 a severe sandstorm hit Dubai and reduced visibility to 1,500 meters.[22]
- On March 10, 2009 a moderate sandstorm reached Dubai which lowered down the visibility and temperature.[23]
- On March 2, 2010 Strong winds caused sandstorms in Dubai and other regions of United Arab Emirates.[24]
- On January 28, 2011 a sandstorm hit Dubai for a short time.[25]
- On February 26, 2012 a strong sandstorm hit Dubai and other parts of the country.[26]
- 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. In some areas visibility use reduced to 500 metres.[27]
- On March 1, 2019, a strong sandstorm hit Dubai along with very strong winds after heavy rainfall, bringing temperatures down by 10 °C (50 °F).
Notes
- ^ Also called tropical and subtropical desert climate
- ^ Dry tropical climate
References
- ^ Citation error. See inline comment how to fix. [verification needed]
- ^ Citation error. See inline comment how to fix. [verification needed]
- ^ "Dubai, United Arab Emirates Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
- ^ Millington, Andrew; Nagendra, Harini; Kopecká, Monika (2018-07-02). Urban Land Systems: An Ecosystems Perspective. MDPI. ISBN 9783038429173.
- ^ "Dubai International Airport - SKYbrary Aviation Safety". www.skybrary.aero. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
- ^ "Trewartha maps". kkh.ltrr.arizona.edu. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ Cmapm, Kliimavöötmed svg: Urmasderivative work (2011-06-16), Русский: Климатические пояса Земли по Б. П. Алисову., retrieved 2019-07-01
- ^ "World Strahler Climate Map".
- ^ Feddema, Johannes J. (January 2005). "A Revised Thornthwaite-Type Global Climate Classification". Physical Geography. 26 (6): 442–466. doi:10.2747/0272-3646.26.6.442. ISSN 0272-3646.
- ^ "Klimaklassifikation". www.spektrum.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ "Klimazonen nach E. Neef (1989)". Klett-Perthes.
- ^ "Climate (Average Temperatures:1977–2015;Precipitation:1967-2009)". Dubai Meteorological Office. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Dubai, Emirates". Climatebase.ru. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Monthly Dubai water temperature chart". Seatemperatures.org. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
- ^ "Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Climate data". Weather Atlas. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- ^ a b c "Dubai Geography – Information, climate and weather in Dubai". Dubai.com. 2013-05-27. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ a b c "Weather in Dubai City – Information on the Weather in Dubai, UAE". Visit-dubai-city.com. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Weather2Flights.com. "Airports – Who flies there?". Weather2flights.com. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Downpour continues as Dubai receives record rainfall". Gulf News. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/weather/video-rain-hits-parts-of-dubai-sharjah-weather-warning-issued
- ^ https://gulfnews.com/uae/weather/heres-why-uae-was-hit-by-rain-and-dust-storm-in-summer-1.65969554
- ^ "Severe sandstorm reduces visibility in Dubai". Gulf News. 2008-04-19. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ "Moderate sandstorm reaches Dubai". Gulf News. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ "Earth Snapshot – Sandstorms Over Dubai, United Arab Emirates – March 2nd, 2010". eosnap.com. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ Kazmi, Aftab (29 January 2011). "Sudden storm brings life to a halt in UAE". Gulf News. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Sandstorm rages across the UAE". Gulf News. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Major sandstorm blots out Dubai sky". BBC News. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
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