Temperatures are forecast to reach 49°C across parts of the UAE on Wednesday as intense inland heat gives way to higher coastal humidity and an increasing risk of fog and mist over the weekend. The National Centre of Meteorology’s five-day outlook points to fair to partly cloudy conditions across much of the country, with clouds developing over eastern areas during the afternoon. Some could become convective, continuing a pattern of cloud formation that has brought localised rainfall to eastern and southern districts during the first half of August.
Maximum temperatures on Wednesday are expected to range between 44°C and 49°C across internal areas. Coastal districts and islands could record between 40°C and 46°C, while mountainous locations are forecast to remain considerably cooler at between 32°C and 38°C. Relative humidity could rise to about 80 per cent along the coast and in mountainous areas.
Conditions are expected to become hotter along parts of the coast on Thursday as temperatures rise. Eastern areas could again see afternoon convective cloud development, while increasing moisture is forecast to make coastal districts more humid overnight and into Friday morning.
The shift marks a change from the dustier and more unsettled weather seen during the preceding days, when convective clouds generated showers over eastern and southern areas and gusty winds lifted sand and dust. Winds associated with those clouds had reached around 50km/h in places, temporarily reducing visibility in exposed districts.
Friday is forecast to remain generally fair to partly cloudy, although cloud cover could increase over northern areas during the night and early Saturday. The greater change is expected during the weekend as overnight humidity strengthens, increasing the possibility of mist and fog near the coast.
Fog or mist may develop over some coastal districts from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Similar conditions are possible from Sunday night into Monday morning. The combination of high humidity, warm overnight temperatures and relatively light winds can favour reduced visibility during the early morning hours, particularly near coastal and low-lying areas.
Motorists travelling during those periods may face sharply changing visibility if fog forms locally. UAE authorities typically issue visibility alerts when dense fog develops, and speed restrictions can be introduced on affected roads as conditions warrant.
Winds on Wednesday are expected to blow mainly from the south-east to north-east at light to moderate speeds, becoming fresher at times and reaching about 35km/h. Winds should generally remain light to moderate through the rest of the forecast period, reducing the likelihood of the widespread blowing dust associated with stronger gusts earlier in the week.
Marine conditions are forecast to remain relatively calm. Seas should stay slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman through much of the period, providing comparatively stable conditions offshore despite the high temperatures and changing atmospheric moisture levels.
The weather pattern is being influenced by an extension of a weak surface low-pressure system approaching from the east, combined with an upper-air high-pressure system. That configuration is supporting very high daytime temperatures while allowing afternoon clouds to develop over elevated eastern areas.
August is typically among the UAE’s hottest and most humid periods, with conditions varying sharply between inland desert districts and the coast. Inland locations can record considerably higher daytime temperatures, while coastal areas frequently experience greater humidity, particularly overnight and around dawn.
Earlier this month, inland temperatures repeatedly approached the upper 40s as convective clouds formed over eastern and southern areas. Forecasts issued during the first week of August showed maximum temperatures of 45°C to 49°C inland, while coastal and island areas were generally expected to remain several degrees lower.
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