{
  "id": 3009188,
  "title": "UAE enters Suhail season, but fog keeps famous star out of sight",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/uae-enters-suhail-season-but-fog-keeps-famous-star-out-of-sight",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T11:14:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/weather/uae-enters-suhail-season-but-fog-keeps-famous-star-out-of-sight-1.500650509"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United Arab Emirates has entered the traditional Suhail season on August 24, 2024. This date remains constant from year to year and signals the gradual cooling of summer heat across the Arabian Peninsula. However, the star Suhail, also known as Canopus, has yet to be visible in the UAE due to fog and weather conditions obscuring it near the south-eastern horizon before sunrise. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, explained that temperatures typically start to decline after August 20, but hot conditions persist until late September. The appearance of Suhail has historically served as a crucial seasonal marker for the Arabian Peninsula, indicating the beginning of milder weather rather than immediate cooling. Traditional signs of the changing season include cooler morning temperatures, retained soil moisture, and camels requiring less water. Additionally, certain seabirds, like the sallal bird, appear during this time. The star's appearance also marks the start of the first 10 days of Al Safri under the traditional Al Drour calendar, a system used to track seasonal changes. Farmers begin preparing for the new agricultural season, while livestock owners trim sheep hooves during this period. Suhail is the second-brightest star in the night sky after Sirius and can be spotted about 40 minutes before sunrise from August 24 in central parts of the Arabian Peninsula. It began its journey to Earth roughly 310 years ago, making it a significant astronomical marker in the region.",
  "summary": "Abu Dhabi: The UAE entered the traditional Suhail season on Monday, August 24, a date that changes little from year to year and has for generations been associated across the Arabian Peninsula with the gradual retreat of peak summer heat and the approach of milder weather. But Suhail itself has yet to be seen with the naked eye in the UAE, with fog and prevailing weather conditions obscuring the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Humidity prevents sighting of Suhail Star but end of summer approaches",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/humidity-prevents-sighting-of-suhail-star-but-end-of-summer-approaches",
        "published": "2026-08-24T11:10:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "ASICS keeps UAE families moving this back-to-school season with comfort, performance and well-being",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/asics-keeps-uae-families-moving-this-back-to-school-season-with",
        "published": "2026-08-24T13:26:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}