September starts in a few days, so does meteorological autumn!

Meteorological autumn starts in September and lasts till November in the northern hemisphere. These are the months where temperatures start to decline. However, astronomical autumn starts on Sep 22/23, when length of day becomes equal to night time. However, meteorological autumn starts before astronomical autumn since days are [...]]]>

September starts in a few days, so does meteorological autumn!

Meteorological autumn starts in September and lasts till November in the northern hemisphere. These are the months where temperatures start to decline. However, astronomical autumn starts on Sep 22/23, when length of day becomes equal to night time. However, meteorological autumn starts before astronomical autumn since days are already getting shorter with less solar energy day by day.

But for folks residing in the Arabian Peninsula, it may still feel like SUMMER! It will take up to end of September and early October for some cooling to take effect. Of course. countries that are more to the north will cool quicker and faster, than compared to other countries like the UAE and the gulf countries.

What happens in autumn in the Arabian Peninsula? During the first half there will be a gradual decrease in temperatures, with warm temperatures still prevailing. But from the second half, especially in November, a noticable change in seasons takes place as the atmosphere gets ready for winter. In November, cold fronts associated with clouds and rain begin to affect  Middeteranian countries and gulf region (especially KSA and Kuwait) and often extend to Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman. Meanwhile, during late September to early November, the Arabian Sea goes through a cyclone season once again. While rare, tropical storms and cyclones can form and sometimes affect Oman or Yemen.

Pakistan usually receives summer rain. The indian monsoon that builds up in summer, stretches up to Pakistan every year during July and August. But 2010 monsoon proved to be totally different!

While the media has focused extensively on the human and health impacts [...]]]> Pakistan is flooded. What a historic flooding!? I wish everybody there safety and a speedy recovery.

Pakistan usually receives summer rain. The indian monsoon that builds up in summer, stretches up to Pakistan every year during July and August. But 2010 monsoon proved to be totally different!

While the media has focused extensively on the human and health impacts of the flooding, I thought of giving an idea of how much rain really fell in Pakistan. The below 2 images (from NASA TRMM site) shows rainfall for the last 30 days. The first shows total rainfall, and the second shows anomaly (how much more or less than normal).

The above image shows much of Pakistan in blue, green, and yellow shadings. Almost half the country had received at least 150mm of rain, while widespread areas received anywhere from 300 to 450mm during the last 30 days.I suspect there was localized rainfall of more than 450mm in some areas. The image doesn’t show rainfall during June and July. It is very ironic how western Pakistan remained largely dry (white shading).

The above image shows how much rain was above normal for Pakistan. Rainfall was 150 to 300mm more than normal for Pakistan. However, another factor that contributed to the flooding is geography. Much of the rain accumulated in wadis and rivers from mountains in northern Pakistan, travelling south up to the Arabian Sea shores, transferring floods to southern Pakistan.

Of particulat interest is the Indus River in Pakistan. The river has expanded and risen significantly, flooding widespread areas. The below 2 images shows views of the River from space (NASA Earth Observatory site) taken before and after the floods. The images are very astonishing and scary as well. See how the Indus River has multiplied in size.

Indus River Aug 19, 2010

Indus River July 2009

While the word summer, for many people living in the Arabian Peninsula, immediately means hot temperatures of above 40c with dry sunny days, it may not mean the same for some. In fact, there are places in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen where summer might mean something that is not really summer-like. In reality, parts of [...]]]>

While the word summer, for many people living in the Arabian Peninsula, immediately means hot temperatures of above 40c with dry sunny days, it may not mean the same for some. In fact, there are places in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen where summer might mean something that is not really summer-like. In reality, parts of SE Oman, S and SW Saudi Arabia, and much of Yemen enjoy summers that are wet and pleasant. However, the summer of 2010 have so far brought more than their typical share of summer rain.

Starting with Oman, the city of Salalah, pictured above, (Thofar region, SE Oman) is by all means a summer wonder in Arabia. Salalah magically transforms into a paradise during summer as moist tropical air from the Arabian Sea engulfs the city with misty air, giving life to plants, wild life, and even desert itself. The region changes from a sandy brownish outlook to a green lush one due to daily drizzle/rain, giving rise to spectacular waterfalls and lakes with air temperatures in mid 20s.

While green Salalah is a regular event, other areas in Oman have become targets of irregular weather systems, mainly tropical cyclones. During late May, June, late September, October, and early November, tropical cyclones form in the Arabian Sea and sometimes affect Oman/Yemen. And in June 2010, Oman braced itself for a hit from Cyclone Phet, leaving the country with floods and more than 20 fatalities. It is a harsh reality for Oman, given that the two strongest tropical cyclones of the Arabian Sea (since records began), Gonu and Phet, hit them during the last 4 years. And those tropical cyclones have hit northern arid areas of Oman. Is it a new trend? Maybe. It is important to keep in mind that Oman occasinally gets hit by tropical cyclones, but usually they are weaker and more to the south.

Phet approaching Oman

Yemen, which enjoys a thundery wet summer due to tropical moisture with pleasant temperatures, also had to contend with a rare hit from tropical storm Bandu in late May 2010, which resulted in heavy rains and property damage. It proved to be an early wet start to their normally wet monsoon, which peaks in July and August, resulting in daily thunderstorms over much of hilly/mountaineous Yemen. However, monsoon rain in Yemen in 2010 have also been so far above average. There have been more than 50 fatalities in Yemen due to floods.

Southern Saudi Arabia also enjoys a wet thundery summer, similar to Yemen, due to mountaineous areas and tropical moisture during the summer months. These thunderstorms have been stronger and wetter than normal, which resulted in more than 15 fatalities so far this year.

While those areas enjoy a contrasting summer than other countries in the Arabian Peninsula, the rest contine to swelter under extreme heat and harsh weather conditions. The below image shows rainfall in Arabia during the last 30 days, in mm per day. It is very clear how wet parts of Oman, S Saudi Arabia, and Yemen were.

While brief afternoon mountaineous summer thunderstorms are normal in the UAE, they have been more widespread and longer-lasting on Aug 2nd & 3rd, 2010. Thunderstorms affected mountaineous areas near UAE Eastern Coast, around and south of Hatta and Masafi areas and west of Fujairah. Thunderstorms have also hit southern/western desert areas south of Abu Dhabi  [...]]]>

Image Source: Gulfnews

While brief afternoon mountaineous summer thunderstorms are normal in the UAE, they have been more widespread and longer-lasting on Aug 2nd & 3rd, 2010. Thunderstorms affected mountaineous areas near UAE Eastern Coast, around and south of Hatta and Masafi areas and west of Fujairah. Thunderstorms have also hit southern/western desert areas south of Abu Dhabi  and continued till late evening. Dust storms hit Al Ain due to strong winds from nearby thunderstorms.

These conditions are expected to continue for a couple of days.

Oman and parts of the UAE under cloud cover

Tropical clouds from the Arabian Sea Monsoon, extending from India, have sent waves of tropical clouds and moisture over Oman and parts of UAE, mainly southeast areas. With abundant heat and moisture, thunderstorms have erupted over Hajar mountains on [...]]]>

Al Ain during the storm (Image Source: Storm.ae)

Oman and parts of the UAE under cloud cover

Tropical clouds from the Arabian Sea Monsoon, extending from India, have sent waves of tropical clouds and moisture over Oman and parts of UAE, mainly southeast areas. With abundant heat and moisture, thunderstorms have erupted over Hajar mountains on July 8th, east and southeast of Al-Ain, then moved westward and hit Al-Ain with high winds, hail, and heavy rain. Winds gusted up to 114 Km/hr! Temperature decreased to 29c or less during the storm

The rainy clouds are covering a widespread area of southeast UAE near Oman border. The situation is expected to remain more or less the same until Saturday July 10th.

Rain Radar showing areas of rain over SE UAE

Mukhariz, a town in South Western UAE in the empty quarter recorded 55.2c degrees few days back. According to Gulfnews, “A staggering high maximum temperature was recorded in Mukhariz, near Saudi Arabian border, in the Western region of the country. The NCMS report said it was 55.2 degree Celsius. The area also suffered from dust storm [...]]]>

Mukhariz, a town in South Western UAE in the empty quarter recorded 55.2c degrees few days back. According to Gulfnews, “A staggering high maximum temperature was recorded in Mukhariz, near Saudi Arabian border, in the Western region of the country. The NCMS report said it was 55.2 degree Celsius. The area also suffered from dust storm in the afternoon.”

It seems there will be no respite from this burning summer as the UAE might be getting more extreme heat as we head into middle of July. The period after July 10th might bring near 50c in the open desert (interior areas).

Clouds and moisture coming from the Arabian Sea, extending from India, could cover parts of Oman, especially coastal areas. These clouds could deliver a few showers and thunderstorms, or at least cloudy tropical conditions for a couple of days. Such an occurence is normal for this time of the year as Monsoon reaches its peak intensity [...]]]>

Clouds and moisture coming from the Arabian Sea, extending from India, could cover parts of Oman, especially coastal areas. These clouds could deliver a few showers and thunderstorms, or at least cloudy tropical conditions for a couple of days. Such an occurence is normal for this time of the year as Monsoon reaches its peak intensity over the Arabian Sea and India, resulting in such clouds extending to Eastern parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

Clouds could extend to parts of the UAE especially the Eastern coast where periods of cloudy conditions could prevail, with a very small chance of odd drizzles or showers. However, Hajar mountains (over Oman and the UAE) will also see increased chance of thunderstorm activity.

The Gulf region is suffering from exceesive heat. In Kuwait, burning highs of 50 and 51c have been recorded from June 14 to 16, after several days of temperatures in late 40s. Saudi Arabia has also been experiencing high temperatures especially Riyadh, Al Ahsa, and Dammam where daily highs of 45-49 have been recorded. In fact, [...]]]>

The Gulf region is suffering from exceesive heat. In Kuwait, burning highs of 50 and 51c have been recorded from June 14 to 16, after several days of temperatures in late 40s. Saudi Arabia has also been experiencing high temperatures especially Riyadh, Al Ahsa, and Dammam where daily highs of 45-49 have been recorded. In fact, the same situation is accross the whole gulf region including Qatar and the UAE as well.

Rumours of temperatures reaching 60c are not true as the highest recorded temperature in the world is 57c in the Libyan desert.

Extremely hot temperatures have been recorded in the UAE over the last few days. Hot winds coming from the empty quarter desert helped increase the temperature beyond normal averages to very uncomfortable levels. If there [...]]]>

Rumours of temperatures reaching 60c are not true as the highest recorded temperature in the world is 57c in the Libyan desert.

Extremely hot temperatures have been recorded in the UAE over the last few days. Hot winds coming from the empty quarter desert helped increase the temperature beyond normal averages to very uncomfortable levels. If there is one good thing about those desert winds is that humidity levels have decreased, making night-time weather a little bit more bearable.

The interior region of the UAE has seen the highest temperatures in the UAE over the last few days. Sweihan (a town close to Al-Ain) recorded 49.7c. Al-Ain has also been suffering from hot weather with temperatures reaching as high as 48c. Generally, temperatures between 45-49c have been observed in various parts of the UAE including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Fujairah is recording lower temperatures, but with higher humidity levels, making the weather very sticky and intolerable, too.