Kathmandu: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recorded its highest temperature for the month of May, reaching an extreme 51.6°C in the Sweihan area of Al Ain at 1:45 PM on Saturday, according to the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM).
The NCM confirmed via an official post on X (formerly Twitter) that Sweihan experienced the highest temperature across the country on this day.
This surge marks the second consecutive day of soaring heat, with Abu Dhabi registering 50.4°C on Friday, followed by a further increase of 1.2°C on Saturday. The persistent heatwave highlights the accelerating impact of climate change across the UAE and the wider Gulf region.
Previously, the highest temperature recorded in May was 50.2°C in 2009, which has now been surpassed by this new record. Experts view this spike as direct evidence of the ongoing climate crisis.
Despite the scorching heat, the NCM has issued a weather warning for possible rainfall in Al Ain between 5 PM and 8 PM on Saturday, due to the formation of convective clouds in the eastern region. This may bring rain, strong winds, and dust storms. Drivers have been cautioned to be careful as roads may become slippery and visibility could reduce due to dust.
Over the last three decades, the number of extremely hot days in the UAE has doubled. Climate experts warn that heatwaves like these will become more frequent, longer, and more intense. A Greenpeace study from 2022 highlighted that the Middle East is experiencing warming at twice the global average rate, posing serious threats to water and food security.
As one of the hottest desert regions in the world, the UAE’s rising temperatures and recurring record-breaking heatwaves underscore that climate change is not a future threat but an immediate emergency.