In case you are wondering how the climate is in the UAE, this post will give you more than that. Along the way, I will be answering the following interesting questions as well:
1- Did it ever snow in the UAE?
2- Did a tornado/waterspout ever affect the UAE?
3- What about cyclones?
4- Does the temperature reach the freezing point in the UAE?
5- Does it rain in the UAE during the summer?
First the UAE is situated on 24N 54E. Below is a map of the UAE. Click here for google map.
Hajar mountains cover NE UAE
The UAE has a very dry climate. Summers are extremely hot and humid with high temperatures in the 40s. However, winters bring pleasant temperatures with coastal highs in mid 20s and lows in teens. Winter precipitation is highly irregular, meaning that a certain winter can bring either no/ little rainfall or much rainfall compared to average.Â
So let’s answer the weird questions mentioned above:Â
1- Did it ever snow in the UAE?
Yes it did. But it happened on UAE’s highest mountain (Jees mountain, around 1700m above sea level). Temperature there often drops to or near freezing level during winter. With the passage of cold front, snow can fall there witht the right conditions. There are 2 snow events that are well-documented (in Jan 2009 & Dec 2004). And there are probably other non-documented cases. Click here for more.Â
Snow covers Jees mountain Jan 2009
2- Did a tornado/waterspout ever affect the UAE?
Yes. strong thunderstorms can develop tornadoes. On Jan 1st, 2003, a waterspout formed near the shores of Sharjah and Ajman. But it dissipated before causing any damage. Click here for a video of a tornado on Dec 29 2006 near Ras Al Khaymah.
Jan2003 waterspout
Summer twin vortices Oct 25th 2007 in Madam area, UAE
3- What about cyclones?
While Arabian Sea cyclones mainly affect India, Pakistan, and Oman, Cyclone Gonu almost managed to hit the UAE in 2007. But it did send tons of waves to UAE East coast. Read more here.
Cyclone Gonu effect on UAE East
Cyclone Gonu in Gulf of Oman (Jun 2007)
4- Did temperatures reach 0c in the UAE?
UAE Jees Mountain can get as cold as -5c during winter. Elsewhere, the open desert of the UAE can get close to 0c especially if you are away from the sea during cold, calm wintry nights and after the passage of cold fronts.
5- Does it rain in the UAE during the summer?
The UAE Hajar mountains help produce local thunderstorms in the afternoon during summer and early autumn even though other parts of the country swelter under high temperatures and humidity levels.
- Jun 8, 2006 NE UAE mountains
Now I’m thinking of UAE Weather for Dummies Part 2
want to know if there is stormy whether expected in bahrian or Monsoon rain
Hi Wedad,
I think the only countries that seem to have a good chance of seeing some rain over the next few days are Oman and Yemen. This is largely due to their proximity to the Arabian Sea. However, it is a bit early to determine what may happen as forecasts are prone to changes. Should the forecasts of a tropical weather extending to Oman materialize, we can’t rule out clouds covering many parts of Arabia including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and parts of KSA.
Stay tuned for more details
your site is quite informative, I visit it regularly but i missed the news of the thunderstorm formations this weekend. I was wondering if you could start a service where by we could receive a rain warning on mobile or email so we can enjoy the rare experience.
A responce would be much appreciated.
Hi Muhammad,
Thanks for passing by.
Given that this is a personal website with very little resources including time, I think it is a bit difficult to start such a service. However, it is a very nice idea. And I think the local meteorological department NCMS is studying such an idea.
Hi again,
I am not a meteorologist but after having researched the chemtrails conspiracy and the facts about HAARP, I am really intriged about what Dylan Avery (writer, director, and editor of the Loose Change films) has to say about cyclone Gonu.
Is this information a possibility in your mind? Please take a look at this link:
http://911booger.blogspot.com/2007/06/dylan-avery-accuses-noaa-cia-of.html
الصور عجيبة ÙˆØلوة
Hi Jeroen,
That is an interesting piece of information. I’m not that skyptical. There have been some cyclones in the Arabian Sea although Gonu’s direction was unusual. Maybe we don’t have enough historical information that may proove Gonu to be normal.
While I don’t think someone is able to spawn a cyclone, I think it might be possible to change its direction.
Hi again,
a little addition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi-2ifWjVro
and something very disturbing: http://aftermathnews.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/bill-gates-turns-his-attention-to-controlling-the-weather/
I don’t trust this guy, Bill Gates…
Hi again,
What an interesting video (still watching it) although I have watched before a similar program. I have to admit that weather modification programs seem to be vague in terms of their effectiveness. However, the idea of affecting hurricanes directions by altering sea water temperature seem plausible to me (and if you can cool sea water you probably can also warm it to spawn more hurricanes!?).
But I guess if a country is able to control weather the first thing it will do is to try to push hurricanes away before actually trying to use weather as a weapon to harm other countries. In other words, since hurricane Katrina was not avoided, it doesn’t seem to me that the US actually have a significant control of the weather.
What an interesting discussion
Regards,
Ahmed
P.S. still planning to sail around the world?
Please give weather update for Muscat Oman next 24 to 48 hrs on cyclone phet