v256.0 · climate · AE · verified 2026-04
United Arab Emirates climate profile
Climate profile for United Arab Emirates — Köppen climate zones, seasonal temperature + rainfall, humidity, extreme weather, climate-change trajectory, air quality, best months for visiting + relocation, water security, and recent climate-policy changes.
Climate classification (Köppen)
Hot desert (BWh) — extreme summer, mild winter, very low rainfall, high humidity coastal
Temperature + rainfall by season
| Winter temperatures | Dubai: 19°C avg (14-25°C) · Abu Dhabi: 18°C (12-25°C) · Al Ain interior: 16°C (8-25°C) · Ras Al Khaimah: 19°C (13-25°C) |
| Summer temperatures | Dubai: 35°C avg (28-42°C, peaks 48°C+) · Abu Dhabi: 34°C (27-42°C) · Al Ain interior: 36°C (28-46°C) · Humidity coastal 80-90% summer (heat-index 50°C+) |
| Annual rainfall | Dubai: 95 mm · Abu Dhabi: 80 mm · Ras Al Khaimah: 120 mm · Vast majority Dec-Mar · Some years near-zero · April 2024 record 250+ mm in 24 hours (Dubai/Sharjah) |
| Humidity | Coastal cities (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) 80-90% summer · Interior (Al Ain) 30-50% summer (drier but hotter) · Winter 50-70% comfortable |
Climate zones within the country
Coastal cities (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah) — humid hot · Interior desert (Al Ain, Liwa) — dry hot extreme · Hajar Mountains (Ras Al Khaimah Jebel Jais) — cooler, occasional snow at peaks Jan-Feb
Extreme weather + risks
| Extreme weather events | April 2024 Dubai/Sharjah flooding (record 250+ mm in 24hr, infrastructure stress test) · Cyclone Shaheen 2021 (Oman/UAE) · Sandstorms (especially summer) · Heatstroke risk Jun-Sep · No tropical cyclones direct landfall typically |
| Air quality | Moderate — Dubai 2024 mean PM2.5 ~30 µg/m³ (above WHO target 5, partly desert dust) · Sandstorm episodes significant · Interior worse · Indoor AC standard |
| Water security | Highly stressed naturally · ~90%+ desalination · Aquifer depletion · Climate-Change-driven water-availability decline · Solar-powered desalination expanding |
Climate change trajectory
Among world's climate-vulnerable regions despite hydrocarbon-producer status · Annual mean +1.5°C since 1980 · Projected +3-5°C by 2100 · Sea-level rise threatens coastal Abu Dhabi/Dubai · Extreme heat (wet-bulb 35°C) projected mid-century · COP28 Dubai Dec 2023 host
Best months for visiting + relocation
| Best for visiting | Nov-Mar — perfect 18-28°C, sunny, low humidity · Apr + Oct shoulder warm but bearable · May-Sep extreme heat 40°C+ — outdoor activity limited to early morning/evening |
| Best for relocation | Sep-Apr arrival ideal (avoid May-Aug initial heat shock) |
Recent changes (2023-2026)
2024-25: April 2024 Dubai/Sharjah flooding (record 250+ mm in 24hr) · Drainage + climate-resilience investments accelerating · COP28 Dec 2023 hosted · Net-Zero 2050 commitment · Cloud-seeding programs continuing · Mangrove conservation Abu Dhabi
Source: official United Arab Emirates meteorological agency · Last verified 2026-04
See also: United Arab Emirates country profile · climate atlas