UAE summer to end on Wednesday, bringing cooler air and chance of rain

The UAE marks the end of summer this week, as the September equinox approaches on Wednesday. This astronomical event signifies the start of autumn in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere.

According to Ibrahim Ghonaimat from the International Astronomical Centre, the sun's rays will become directly over the Earth's equator during the equinox, resulting in nearly equal day and night lengths. In the UAE, temperatures will not change dramatically at the equinox, but people typically start experiencing more comfortable weather around mid-October, particularly at night and in the early morning.

Until then, temperatures in September remain high, averaging above 45°C. High humidity due to the warm sea and frequent foggy mornings may persist into November. This combination creates sticky, uncomfortable conditions and early morning fog in coastal areas like Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

While the equinox doesn't directly cause rainfall, Ibrahim Al Jarwan of the Emirates Astronomical Society predicts increasing chances of rain as autumn progresses. A strong El Nino is expected to persist through February, bringing average temperatures and a higher likelihood of rain across the UAE until April 2027.