To live in a place where summer lasts all year round, and the water in the coastal bay is never colder than +25°C is the dream of many northerners and residents of temperate latitudes. Representatives of the countries of northern, western and central Europe are happy to spend their Christmas holidays in the Emirates, basking in the rays of the gentle southern sun. However, the weather in this country is far from ideal. And if a climatic paradise really reigns here in the winter 2-3 months, then the rest of the year the weather throws up very unpleasant climatic tests for a person.
How geographical location affects climate
The United Arab Emirates is located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula. Most of the country’s territory is an arid (very dry) desert, so life is concentrated along the coasts of the Persian and Oman Gulfs. Tropical air masses dominate here.
The most favorable season is February-March. In these months, comfortable +24 …+25 ° C are set during the daytime, and at night it may even be cool – up to +15 ° C. The most unfavorable period is July–August, when in addition to high temperatures, which often reach +40 ° C, and humidity (active evaporation begins from the surface of the bay). And then people simply have nothing to breathe, because the amount of oxygen in the air decreases.
The most favorable climate prevails in Fujairah, washed by the Gulf of Oman. This emirate is under the influence of humid air masses coming from the Indian Ocean. They make the climate milder: summers are not so hot here, and winters are warmer.
There are never torrential rains in most of the UAE. Annual precipitation does not exceed 130 mm, and in particularly dry years – 30 mm. The exception is again Fujairah: cyclones from the Indian Ocean sometimes reach here in the summer, but this does not happen every year.
Deserts, which occupy most of the country’s territory, are a negative geographical factor that affects the weather. From time to time, dust storms come from there, which last for several days, covering everything with fine sand. Every 1-2 years, hurricanes form in the country, this is the result of a collision of hot air from the desert with cooler sea air. This phenomenon lasts no more than a few hours, but leaves destruction in its wake. However, these cataclysms are not so frequent and not particularly dangerous.
Weather in different seasons
Spring
This time of year begins with a drought. In March, the temperature rises, but not much (up to +28 ° C), short-term rains may pass (not every year). But since April, the thermometer has been creeping up from day to day, reaching +35 …+38 ° C by the end of May, the water warms up to +29 ° C, humidity is rising.
Summer
This is the hardest time of the year. The daytime temperature rises above forty degrees. The maximum values of the thermometer were recorded in 2007, when the air heated up to +48.5 ° C. The heaviest period begins in the second half of July and lasts until the end of August. In addition to the sweltering heat, the humidity of the air sometimes rises to 90% or the opposite phenomenon happens – dust storms come from the desert. These are the strongest gusts of wind that carry clouds of hot sand around the city.
Autumn
The first months of autumn are not much different from the hot summer months. The temperature drops slightly, but still stays at +33 … +36 ° C. The first signs of coolness come at the end of November.
Winter
This is the most long-awaited time of the year for locals, but especially for expats, who endure the heat much harder. The air is finally cooled to a comfortable +23 …+25 °C, the sea temperature is exactly the same. Sometimes there are short rains, which freshen the air even more. This is the perfect weather for outdoor recreation. It is during this period that all kinds of concerts and performances are organized in the country at outdoor venues, which often last until the morning.
What is the danger of heat and how to fight it in the UAE
High temperatures lasting for many days in a row are dangerous for the health of both adults and children. The heat threatens dehydration, heat stroke. If the temperature and humidity are elevated in the atmosphere at the same time, this causes a lack of oxygen, which in turn leads to a deterioration of well-being: lethargy, drowsiness, inability to concentrate on work. The scorching sun is also a threat of burns, especially for children, people with fair skin and those who grew up in a cooler climate.
Local residents are adapted to the climate of their country, but they also have to comply with a number of security measures. For example, traditional white loose men’s attire is not just a tribute to tradition. This is an effective way to protect against heat. The white color reflects the sun’s rays and the body heats up less, and because of the loose fit, a cooling air layer is created between the clothes and the body.
In the Emirates, protecting people from the heat is the number one task. So by law, from June 1 to September 15, it is forbidden to work on the street from 12-30 to 15-00. During the construction of buildings, first of all, the air conditioning system is thought out, and building materials are selected that are less susceptible to heating, for example, cladding with a reflective effect. For builders, air-conditioned points are being set up on the construction site, where you can cool off (it is allowed to do this several times during the day). There you can also drink cold water and a rehydration saline solution.
When planning residential complexes, attention is always paid to the breakdown of green areas in which the fountain often works. Such oases protect from direct sunlight.
Rules of conduct in the hot season
In the hottest time of the year, officials of various levels constantly appear in the media, calling for compliance with some simple safety rules that will protect from an explosion. For example, it is important to remove gas-containing things from cars: lighters, deodorants, batteries, even carbonated drinks. It is also strongly recommended not to fill the gasoline tank to capacity, and to visit gas stations only in the evening.
In the hottest period, every person should take care of himself and his children:
- Don’t be outside from 10-00 to 16-00.
- Even in the early morning and evening, be sure to wear a hat.
- It is necessary to go outside only after treating the exposed areas of the skin with a sunscreen with the highest protection index, especially for children.
- Always have clean water with you and drink it in small sips at short intervals.
- If you are in the car, keep the windows slightly ajar so that the air flows do not allow the case to overheat.
- Go out for walks only in the evening, when the sun has already set.
- Wear only light, loose clothing made of natural fabrics.
If a person has a heat stroke, it is necessary to cool him down as soon as possible: take him away from the sun, provide access to fresh cool air, undress him, give him a drink of cold water, apply cooling compresses. It is better if it is possible to put it under a cool shower. Then you need to call an ambulance.
Security of stay in the UAE
The country belongs to one of the safest in the world. According to the world ranking, which includes 153 countries, the UAE ranks 33rd in terms of overall indicators. The main offenses relate to dangerous behavior on the roadway, petty theft and fraud in relation to tourists. The high level of security is also evidenced by the second ranking place (after Saudi Arabia) in the list of countries with the lowest level of serious crimes (only 2 murders are committed per 100 000 people).
There is practically no corruption in the Emirates, there is no pornography, prostitution, drug addiction, drunken and aggressive companies on the streets. All this was achieved thanks to very strict laws, punishments and control over their execution.
The state spares no expense for the development of the police. Law enforcement officers receive very high salaries, have broad powers (which are never abused), use modern technology at work. Suffice it to say that patrol cars in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are very often Mercedes, BMW, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Ferrari. Patrolmen are hard to spot on the streets, but as soon as the slightest acute incident occurs, they appear as if from under the ground. The police are always ready not only to punish, but also to help in any situation, to explain how to behave in a Muslim society.
If we talk about the laws, then very large fines, imprisonment, deportation are provided for many minor offenses, which reliably keeps people from crimes. The country has the death penalty.
All these measures reliably protect local residents and tourists from any dangers that happen in other cities of the world with a million people.
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