United Arab Emirates Climate
Top 5 Cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, and Ajman
This month in numbers
April 2026 was the warmest April on record for the United Arab Emirates, with an average temperature of 30.62°C, marking an anomaly of +3.8°C above the 1961–1990 baseline. This surpassed the previous record for April. The three-month period from February to April 2026 also ranked as the 3rd warmest on record, with an average temperature of 25.24°C, an anomaly of +2.6°C.
What changed
The United Arab Emirates experienced significantly warmer conditions in April, with temperatures surging well above typical averages for the month. This follows a trend of elevated temperatures throughout the preceding months, with February and March also recording positive anomalies. The region's 1-month anomaly of +3.84°C places it 35th globally among the 234 regions tracked, and it was the 2nd warmest within the Asia group, which itself saw a 1-month anomaly of +1.77°C.
What’s driving change?
The pronounced warming in the United Arab Emirates is influenced by a combination of factors, including the global warming trend and regional climate dynamics. An unseasonal heatwave gripped the UAE in April, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in many areas, and reaching as high as 44°C in the Al Dhafra region. This aligns with the broader pattern of . The current ENSO state is Neutral, with an anomaly of +0.11°C, though forecasts indicate a likely transition to El Niño by May-July 2026, which typically brings warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures and more intense heat to the Gulf region. The UAE also experienced significant rainfall and thunderstorms in late March 2026, leading to widespread flooding in areas like Dubai and Sharjah, with some regions receiving over 100mm of rain in a few days. This event was attributed to an abnormally strong jet stream drawing moist tropical air from the Indian Ocean. The National Centre of Meteorology has also conducted approximately 80 cloud seeding missions since the start of 2026 to enhance rainfall and water reserves.
Looking ahead
Projections for May 2026 indicate a continuation of intensifying summer heat, with potential for temperatures to reach 45°C+ by mid-month, influenced by the Indian monsoon trough drawing in humid air.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
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Data Sources
Data Sources for United Arab Emirates
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) — see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in United Arab Emirates changing?
United Arab Emirates is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The trend rate is shown as °C per decade in the headline panel; you can also see the warmest and coolest years on file.
Where does the climate data for United Arab Emirates come from?
Climate data for United Arab Emirates comes from Our World in Data, sourcing Copernicus ERA5 and HadCRUT5 (national temperature anomaly) and the Global Carbon Project via Our World in Data (CO₂ emissions), refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the United Arab Emirates climate data cover?
The United Arab Emirates climate profile covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain and surrounding areas. Temperature, rainfall and emissions data for United Arab Emirates
How often is the United Arab Emirates climate update refreshed?
The United Arab Emirates climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.