UAE Weather and the Best Time to Visit

The UAE has a hot desert climate with sunshine nearly every day. Winters are mild and pleasant, and summers are among the hottest in the world. Knowing the seasons helps you choose when to visit, when to move, and how to plan the year. This guide covers the climate by season and month, the risks of heat, dust and rain, what to pack, the best time for different activities and the main events. Temperatures below are typical averages for the coast of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) publishes forecasts and warnings.

The four seasons

Winter (December to February)

This is the most comfortable period, with sunny days, highs of about 23 to 27 degrees Celsius and cooler evenings, sometimes falling to 12 to 16 degrees. Mornings can be foggy. Rain is possible but short-lived. The mountains and desert can be much colder at night, and Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah can approach freezing on some winter nights.

Spring (March to May)

Temperatures climb from around 28 degrees in March to the high 30s by May. It is still pleasant in March and April, but the heat builds quickly, and spring is the season when dust and sandstorms are common.

Summer (June to September)

Highs reach 40 to 45 degrees on the coast and can top 45 inland, such as in Al Ain and the desert. The coast is also humid, so it feels hotter than the number suggests. Temperatures above 50 degrees have been recorded in the interior. Most people avoid being outdoors between late morning and late afternoon.

Autumn (October to November)

October is still hot, with highs near the mid-30s, then temperatures fall to a comfortable 30 degrees in November. Humidity drops, the sea is still warm and the tourist season starts.

Climate by month

Month	Typical high (C)	Typical low (C)	Sea temperature (C)	What to expect
January	24	14	21	Coolest month, some fog
February	25	15	20	Pleasant, occasional rain
March	28	18	22	Warm, wind and dust possible
April	33	21	25	Hot afternoons
May	38	25	29	Very hot, beach weather
June	40	28	31	Strong sun, shamal winds
July	42	31	33	Hot and humid
August	42	31	34	Peak heat and humidity
September	40	28	33	Still very hot
October	36	24	31	Easing, humid early on
November	30	19	27	Pleasant
December	26	16	24	Mild, busy season

These are indicative figures and vary by year, by city and by distance from the sea. Fujairah and the east coast face the Gulf of Oman, with different sea conditions.

Regional differences

Weather varies across a small country. Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi share a humid Gulf coast. Al Ain and the desert interior are drier and hotter by day, with colder winter nights. The Hajar Mountains in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Hatta are several degrees cooler than the coast all year, which makes them a popular summer escape. The east coast on the Gulf of Oman is slightly less humid in some months, and its beaches are popular for snorkelling and diving. The sea is cool enough for a wetsuit only in January and February.

Humidity, sandstorms and fog

• Humidity: coastal humidity often exceeds 70 percent in summer, particularly from July to September, which makes the heat harder to bear. Inland areas are drier.
• Sandstorms and dust: strong northwesterly shamal winds can reduce visibility, especially in spring and early summer. People with asthma should carry their medication, and drivers should slow down.
• Fog: winter mornings can bring thick fog, mainly inland and in Abu Dhabi. Authorities issue warnings and sometimes lower speed limits. See our driving and transport guide for road rules.

Rain and flash floods

Rain is rare, averaging under 100 millimetres a year in Dubai, mostly between December and March. Storms are brief but can be intense. In April 2024, the UAE recorded its heaviest rainfall since records began, which flooded roads and homes in Dubai and other emirates. Wadi areas, mountain roads and the east coast, including Fujairah, Hatta and Kalba, are especially vulnerable.

• Follow alerts from NCM, the police and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.
• Never drive or hike through a flooded wadi, and avoid underpasses.
• Schools and employers sometimes move to remote working during severe weather.
• The UAE also runs cloud seeding operations to increase rainfall.

Save the numbers in our emergency numbers tool and see the emergency page.

The summer midday work ban

From 15 June to 15 September each year, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) bans outdoor work in direct sun between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm. Employers must provide shaded rest areas, drinking water and cooling. As of 2026, a breach can be fined at AED 5,000 per worker, up to AED 50,000 per establishment, with higher penalties for repeat violations. Workers can report violations to MOHRE. The ban does not apply to indoor work and emergency repairs. It affects construction, delivery and similar jobs, and visitors may notice quieter building sites. Read more in our working in the UAE guide.

What to pack

• Light clothing: breathable cotton and linen, in light colours. Pack modest options for malls, mosques and government offices. See our culture and etiquette guide.
• Sun protection: sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), sunglasses and a hat.
• A light jacket or cardigan: indoor air conditioning is strong, and winter evenings and desert nights are cool.
• Swimwear and reef shoes: for beaches, pools and water parks.
• Sturdy shoes: for hiking, desert tours and walking in theme parks.
• A scarf: useful for dust, and for covering up at mosques.
• A refillable water bottle and any regular medicines.
• A plug adapter: the UAE uses three-pin Type G sockets (as in the UK) at 220 to 240 volts.

Best time to visit

Activity	Best months	Notes
Beaches and water sports	October to April, and May if you can handle the heat	The sea is warm almost all year, but midday sun is intense in summer
Desert safaris and camping	November to March	Cooler nights, and clear skies
Mountains and hiking	November to March	Jebel Jais, Hatta and the Hajar mountains are best in the cool months
City sightseeing and outdoor dining	November to March	Terraces, parks and promenades are in season
Events and festivals	December to March	The busiest period
Cheapest hotels and indoor activities	June to September	Quiet, with lower hotel rates and indoor attractions

If you want the best balance of weather, crowds and price, aim for November or March. December and January are the most comfortable but also the most expensive and busiest.

Major events calendar

Dates change each year, so confirm them before you book.

Event	Usual timing
Abu Dhabi Art and Sharjah International Book Fair	November
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina Circuit)	Late November or early December, as the Formula 1 season finale
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)	2 December
New Year's Eve fireworks	31 December
Dubai Shopping Festival	Late December to late January or early February
Dubai Marathon	January
Art Dubai	Spring, usually March or April
Dubai World Cup (Meydan Racecourse)	Late March or early April
Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr	Dates follow the Islamic calendar

Expo City Dubai, the former Expo 2020 site, hosts festivals, markets and exhibitions through the cooler months. Global Village in Dubai runs through the winter. Check the holidays page and holiday planner for public holidays that affect your trip, and the Dubai page for what to see.

Time zone

The UAE uses Gulf Standard Time (GST), which is UTC+4 all year, and it does not use daylight saving. Time differences with other places therefore change when they change their clocks. For example, the UAE is four hours ahead of London in winter and three hours ahead in summer, and 1.5 hours behind India all year. Prayer times, sunrise and sunset shift through the year, so see the prayer times tool.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit the UAE?

November, December, February and March offer the best balance of comfortable weather and open attractions. December and January are busiest and most expensive.

How hot does the UAE get in summer?

Coastal highs reach 40 to 45 degrees Celsius with high humidity, and the interior can exceed this. Plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.

Does it rain in the UAE?

Rarely, mostly between December and March, but when it does, short heavy storms can cause flooding. Heed official weather alerts.

What is the midday break?

From 15 June to 15 September, outdoor work is banned from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm to protect workers from heat stress.

Does the UAE have daylight saving time?

No. The UAE uses Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4) all year.