The UAE is gearing up for its summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which will last for 13 hours and 48 minutes from June 20 to June 22. According to Astronomy and Space Sciences, temperatures during this period will range between 41ºC and 43ºC during the day, and 26ºC and 29ºC at night, with some areas experiencing temperatures exceeding 50ºC.
The summer solstice typically falls on June 21 in most years, but this year, it will occur on June 20 for most countries around the world at 20:51 UTC, making it the earliest solstice since 1796. The authorities have also noted that the date of the summer solstice will continue to be earlier in the coming leap years.
As the UAE transitions into what is known as ‘astronomical summer’ in the third week of June, the season kicks off with the summer solstice when one of Earth’s poles is tilted closest to the sun, marking the longest day in the UAE. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomy Society, explained, “With the date of the summer solstice, the sun is perpendicular to the Tropic of Cancer at its northernmost position… while the shadow is absent at noon in the perpendicular areas, including the southern regions of the country, and the meridian shadow disappears. Throughout the Arabian Peninsula, the shortest meridian shadow is throughout the northern half of the Earth.”
During the first half of summer, from June 21 to August 10, the UAE can expect generally dry weather with hot and dry winds in the northern and northwestern regions causing dust and sand to blow over the country, leading to hot air waves that will raise temperatures by at least four degrees. The second half of summer, from August 11 until the autumn equinox on September 23, will bring a high percentage of humidity along with continued high temperatures. Humid winds will blow across the country, triggering the formation of cumulus clouds in the mountain highlands and surrounding areas, potentially causing thunderstorms.
As the UAE prepares for the summer solstice and the sweltering temperatures that come with it, residents are advised to stay hydrated, seek shade, and take necessary precautions to beat the heat. Stay tuned for more updates on the weather conditions and how the country copes with the scorching summer ahead.