Picture for illustrative purposes only. EXPAT MEDIA

August has only just begun, but the UAE has already smashed a nine-year heat record. On August 1, Sweihan in Al Ain recorded a blistering 51.8°C, making it the hottest August temperature in the UAE since 2017, when Mezaira reached 51.4°C. According to the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM), this record-breaking heat continues the scorching trend from July — and experts say it’s partly due to the Indian monsoon low pressure system pushing hot air into the region. The UAE’s eastern mountains and southern parts have been seeing cloud formation due to the clash of mountain heat and moisture, which sometimes turns into afternoon rainstorms inland. Some areas are also being affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a low-pressure belt that can cause thunderstorms and humidity spikes. Winds have been unpredictable too. Mornings usually bring southerly winds that kick up dust, while afternoons often see strong northwesterly gusts. Humidity levels are also on the rise in August. The average relative humidity is now 47 percent, but during certain mornings and nights, it can feel even more suffocating, going up to 80 percent in some areas. While most of the UAE baked in over 40°C temperatures, the coolest August temperature ever recorded was a refreshing 16.1°C at Jabal Mebreh in 2013.  August also brings fog, with up to 15 foggy days recorded in past years. And though it doesn’t rain much, August once saw a surprise 100.4 mm downpour in Hamim back in 2013. This August’s heat follows July’s record-breaking temperatures, when Al Ain recorded 51.6°C even before the height of summer, showing that the heat is hitting harder and earlier every year. CAM/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page