The United Arab Emirates has once again surpassed its May temperature record, registering a scorching 51.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, nearing its all-time high. This marks the second consecutive day of record heat.
The National Center of Meteorology confirmed via a social media announcement that the peak temperature reached 51.6C in Sweihan (Al Ain) at 13:45 UAE local time (0945 GMT), just 0.4C shy of the country’s historical maximum.
Since record-keeping began in 2003, the highest temperature documented in the UAE was 52C on Al Yasat Island in Abu Dhabi in 2010, as reported by the meteorological office.
The UAE, one of the largest oil producers globally, is situated in an area known for its extreme heat and is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
On Saturday, the temperature in Sweihan, located 97km (60 miles) west of Abu Dhabi, and the prior day’s 50.4C in the capital surpassed the former May record of 50.2C set in 2009, according to meteorological data.
In Dubai, temperatures reached the mid-40s Celsius, prompting complaints from drivers about their car air conditioning systems struggling to cope with the intense heat so early in the season.
Despite the heat, residents of Dubai ventured outdoors, some carrying parasols, while vendors offering refreshing drinks and local juices experienced an increase in customers.
The UAE, which will host the COP28 climate conference in 2023, recently recorded an average daily high of 42.6 degrees Celsius in what was a record-breaking month of April.
– Prolonged Hot Conditions –
Research indicates that frequent heatwaves serve as a significant indicator of global warming, with such events expected to become more prevalent, extended, and intense.
Over the past 30 years, the incidence of extreme heat days has nearly doubled worldwide.
According to a 2024 report from the International Labour Organization, outdoor workers in Arab countries are among the most affected by heat stress, with 83.6 percent experiencing excessive heat exposure during their work.
The dangers of a warming world were tragically highlighted last June, when over 1,300 individuals lost their lives during the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in neighboring Saudi Arabia, primarily among unregistered pilgrims exposed to lengthy outdoor conditions.
A 2022 study by Greenpeace warned that the Middle East is highly susceptible to water and food shortages as well as extreme heat waves due to climate change. This research, which examined six countries, including the UAE, noted that the region is warming at almost double the global rate, rendering its food and water resources highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
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