UAE weather by month runs from warm to very hot all year: in Dubai, average highs run from about 24°C in January to 42°C in August, with lows of 14°C to 30°C, and the sea ranges from 21°C to 33°C. The best months for outdoor plans are November to March, when days are 24 to 31°C and dry. October and April are warm but pleasant early and late in the day. From May to September it is too hot for most outdoor activity after mid-morning, and July to September are also humid. Rain is rare, mostly a few days a month from December to March, and morning fog is common from September to March.
At a glance
- Coolest month
- January: about 24°C by day, 14°C at night in Dubai
- Hottest month
- August: about 42°C by day, 30°C at night; sea about 33°C
- Best overall
- November and March
- Wettest
- December to March, a few rainy days a month
- Fog season
- September to March, early mornings
- Winter feel arrives
- Mid-October to early November
Last checked: 13 October 2026. Monthly figures are long-term averages for Dubai from Dubai Meteorological Office climate data; Abu Dhabi is similar, and the mountains are much cooler.
On this page
Month by month
| Month | Day high | Night low | Sea | Humidity | Rain days | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C | 14°C | 21°C | 65% | About 5 | Spring-like days, cool evenings; coolest month |
| February | 25°C | 16°C | 21°C | 64% | About 5 | Mild; windy spells and the odd storm |
| March | 30°C | 18°C | 22°C | 61% | About 6 | Warm and sunny; foggy mornings |
| April | 34°C | 22°C | 25°C | 54% | About 3 | Hot by midday; last month for camping |
| May | 38°C | 25°C | 29°C | 50% | Rare | Summer starts; dry heat |
| June | 40°C | 27°C | 31°C | 55% | Rare | Very hot; dust and Shamal winds |
| July | 42°C | 30°C | 32°C | 55% | Rare | Hottest stretch begins; humid nights |
| August | 42°C | 30°C | 33°C | 53% | Rare | Peak heat; Suhail rises late in the month |
| September | 40°C | 28°C | 32°C | 59% | Rare | Still hot; very humid, fog returns |
| October | 37°C | 24°C | 30°C | 60% | Rare | Cooling from mid-month; warmest sea for swimming |
| November | 31°C | 20°C | 27°C | 61% | About 1 | Perfect beach and outdoor weather |
| December | 26°C | 16°C | 23°C | 65% | About 4 | Mild days, cool nights; first rains |
| Month | Sunshine per day | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 8 hours | 75°F | 57°F |
| February | About 8.5 hours | 77°F | 61°F |
| March | About 8.5 hours | 86°F | 64°F |
| April | About 10 hours | 93°F | 72°F |
| May | About 11 hours | 100°F | 77°F |
| June | About 11.5 hours | 104°F | 81°F |
| July | About 10.5 hours | 108°F | 86°F |
| August | About 10.5 hours | 108°F | 86°F |
| September | About 10 hours | 104°F | 82°F |
| October | About 10 hours | 99°F | 75°F |
| November | About 9 hours | 88°F | 68°F |
| December | About 8 hours | 79°F | 61°F |
With about 3,500 hours of sunshine a year, the UAE has a hot desert climate. Humidity is a monthly average; on summer nights on the coast it often reaches 80 to 90%, which is why July to September feel hotter than the thermometer suggests. The UV index is high all year, so use sun protection even in winter.
Best months for each activity
| Month | Beach | Hiking | Camping | Desert safari | Water park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Fresh sea (21°C) | Best | Best; cold desert nights | Best | Cool; heated pools help |
| February | Fresh sea | Best | Best | Best | Cool |
| March | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| April | Good | Sunrise only | Last weeks of the season | Good | Best |
| May | Early and late | Avoid | Avoid | Evening only | Good |
| June | Early, late and night beaches | Avoid | Avoid | Short evening trips | Good, early |
| July | Early, late and night beaches | Avoid | Avoid | Short evening trips | Good, early |
| August | Early, late and night beaches | Avoid | Avoid | Short evening trips | Good, early |
| September | Early and late | Avoid | Avoid | Evening only | Good |
| October | Best (warm sea) | From late October, sunrise | From late October | Good from mid-month | Good |
| November | Best | Good | Good; permits from 1 November | Best | Good |
| December | Good | Best | Best | Best | Cool |
Plan by activity with our guides to Dubai’s beaches, night swimming, hiking in the UAE, camping, desert trips and theme and water parks.
When does winter start in the UAE?
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Around 24 August | The Suhail star (Canopus) rises before dawn, the traditional sign that the worst of summer is ending. In 2026 the Emirates Astronomy Society put its rise on 24 August. It starts a roughly 40-day transition with hot days, slowly cooler nights, high humidity and morning fog. |
| Late September | The peak heat eases, though days are still close to 40°C. |
| Mid-October | The traditional Al Wasm season begins and the weather settles. Evenings outdoors become comfortable, and the winter attractions open: Dubai Miracle Garden from 8 October and Global Village from 14 October in 2026. |
| Late October to November | The first nights below 20°C, inland and in the desert first, then on the coast in November. |
| 1 November | Dubai’s winter camping season opens, running to 30 April. |
| 21 December | Astronomical winter begins at the solstice. |
| January to early February | The coldest weeks. Jebel Jais can fall close to 0°C; the UAE’s record low, minus 5.7°C, was set there on 3 February 2017. |
| March and April | Warming again; March can bring 20 or more foggy mornings, and April is the last comfortable month. |
How the weather differs across the UAE
| Area | Compared with Dubai |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Very similar; slightly cooler in some winter months |
| Al Ain and inland desert | Hotter summer days but drier air; noticeably cooler winter nights |
| Liwa and the Empty Quarter | The hottest summer days in the country; cold winter nights in the dunes |
| Hatta and the Hajar mountains | A few degrees cooler, with more rain in winter |
| Jebel Jais | Usually about 10°C cooler than the coast; near freezing on the coldest winter nights |
| East coast (Fujairah, Khor Fakkan) | Slightly cooler days in winter, humid in summer, with more frequent showers near the mountains |
Rain, fog, wind and dust
- Rain: mostly from December to March, often as short, heavy storms. The northern and eastern mountains get more than the coast. On 16 April 2024, Dubai recorded a record 255 mm in one storm. Never enter a wadi or drive through floodwater when rain is forecast.
- Fog: common on early mornings from September to March, especially after humid nights with light wind. It usually clears by 9am; drive slowly and follow alerts.
- Shamal winds: northwesterly winds that bring dust and haze in early summer and cool, windy days with rough seas in winter.
- Dust storms: most frequent from spring to midsummer; people with asthma should stay indoors.
- Warnings: the National Center of Meteorology issues yellow, orange and red alerts for fog, rain, wind and rough seas; check them before mountain, desert or sea trips.
Best months to visit
- November to March: the best weather for everything outdoors, and the busiest and most expensive time to visit.
- October and April: warm, with fewer crowds; plan outdoor activities for mornings and evenings.
- May to September: the cheapest hotels and summer deals; spend days indoors and go out after sunset. Jebel Jais is the coolest escape.
For what is open each season, see what’s on this winter, and for public holidays and long weekends, see UAE public holidays.
- Adventure activities by season.
- Indoor activities in Dubai: for summer days.
- Stargazing in the UAE: the clearest winter nights.
- Jebel Jais: the coolest place in the UAE.
- Eid Al Adha 2027 holiday: expected in May, as the heat returns.
- Eid Al Fitr 2027 holiday: expected in March, one of the last cool months.
UAE weather FAQs
What is the hottest month in the UAE?
August, with average highs of about 42°C and lows of about 30°C in Dubai, and sea temperatures around 33°C. July is almost as hot.
What is the coldest month in the UAE?
January, with average highs of about 24°C and lows of about 14°C in Dubai. Jebel Jais can fall close to freezing.
When does winter start in the UAE?
The weather starts to cool after the Suhail star rises around 24 August, settles from mid-October with the Al Wasm season, and the first nights below 20°C usually arrive in late October inland and November on the coast. Astronomical winter begins on 21 December.
When does it rain in the UAE?
Mostly between December and March, usually on a few days a month. Summer rain is rare, except for occasional storms over the eastern mountains.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in winter?
Yes for most people: the sea is about 21 to 23°C from December to March, warmer than many European summers. It is warmest, about 30 to 33°C, from July to October.
What is the best month to visit Dubai?
November or March, for warm, dry days around 30°C, a warm sea and all the outdoor attractions open.