UAE hits highest May temperature on record at 50.4C
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates recorded a sweltering 50.4 degrees Celsius on Friday, its highest temperature for May since it began documenting them in 2003, according to the National Center of Meteorology.
'The highest temperature recorded over the country today is 50.4°C (122.7 Fahrenheit) in Al Shawamekh (Abu Dhabi) at 14:30 UAE Local time,' it said in a post on X.
'This is the highest temperature we've ever recorded (for May) since we started keeping records in 2003,' the NCM told AFP.
That topped the highest temperature of 50.2 Celsius recorded in May 2009, said the centre.
The desert country prone to oven-like temperatures in the summer months has been recording higher temperatures than usual even before the season begins.
Last month, the UAE marked its hottest April on record with an average daily high of 42.6 degrees Celsius.
That topped the average daily high of 42.2 Celsius recorded in April 2017, said the centre, which has been keeping comprehensive figures since 2003.
The NMC on Friday issued instructions to stay safe in the heat, advising residents to stay out of the sun, drink plenty of fluids, wear appropriate attire and use sunscreen.
The UAE is one of the world's top oil exporters, but has also invested heavily in renewable energy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Severe heatwave likely during Eid holidays in Pakistan
KARACHI: The Met Office on Thursday issued a severe heatwave warning for the upcoming Eid holidays, forecasting a significant rise in temperatures across the country from June 7 to June 12. According to the Met Office, a high-pressure system is likely to develop over the region on June 7 and is expected to intensify from June 8 onward. Under its influence, daytime temperatures in the upper parts of the country — including central and upper Punjab, Islamabad, KPK, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are forecast to remain 5 to 7 degrees Celsius above normal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Severe heatwave likely during Eid holidays
KARACHI: The Met Office on Thursday issued a severe heatwave warning for the upcoming Eid holidays, forecasting a significant rise in temperatures across the country from June 7 to June 12. According to the Met Office, a high-pressure system is likely to develop over the region on June 7 and is expected to intensify from June 8 onward. Under its influence, daytime temperatures in the upper parts of the country — including central and upper Punjab, Islamabad, KPK, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are forecast to remain 5 to 7 degrees Celsius above normal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pilgrims begin Hajj under blazing sun
Pilgrims make their way to Mina as Saudi authorities ratchet up heat protection measures. Photo: REUTERS More or less 1.6 million pilgrims from around the world, including 115,000 Pakistanis, on Wednesday converged on the vast tent city of Mina for the five-day communion with their Creator, Allah Almighty, invoking His divine mercy and seeking forgiveness for their sins. The sprawling tent city of Mina, situated just outside Makkah, marks the first stop for pilgrims undertaking Hajj. They will spend the night there before departing at dawn on Thursday for the plains of Arafat, where they will observe Waqoof-e-Arafat, the Rukn-e-Azm of Hajj, in deep prayer and reflection, seeking divine blessings. Pilgrims will listen to the Hajj sermon in their tents, with translations available in 35 languages. They will perform Zohr and Asr prayers together and spend the entire day engaged in prayers and Talbia. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the holy Kaaba. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawafwalking seven times around the holy Kaaba. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds.
