The United Arab Emirates has set a new May temperature record for the second consecutive day, reaching a scorching 51.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, nearing the highest temperature ever documented in the nation.
According to the National Center of Meteorology, the maximum temperature recorded was 51.6°C in Sweihan (near Al Ain) at 13:45 local time (09:45 GMT), just 0.4°C shy of the all-time heat record for the Gulf state. Since 2003, the highest temperature recorded in the UAE was 52°C on Al Yasat Island in Abu Dhabi back in 2010.
As a major global oil hub, the UAE exists in one of the hottest areas on the planet, making it particularly sensitive to the impacts of climate change. The readings in Sweihan, located 97 kilometers (60 miles) west of the capital, along with the previous day’s high of 50.4°C in Abu Dhabi, have surpassed the previous May record of 50.2°C set in 2009.
In Dubai, where temperatures hovered in the mid-40s Celsius, residents reported that their vehicle air conditioning systems were struggling to combat the intense heat, with many surprised by the early onset of such high temperatures in the year. Despite the heat, people in Dubai remained active, some using umbrellas for shade, while vendors selling water and local beverages saw increased customer activity. This temperature rise follows a record-setting April with an average high of 42.6 degrees Celsius, and the UAE is set to host the COP28 climate conference later this year.
### Intensifying Heat Waves
Scientists have indicated that repeated heatwaves are clear indications of global warming, and these events are projected to become more common, prolonged, and intense. The number of extremely hot days globally has nearly doubled over the past 30 years.
Outdoor laborers in Arab countries experience some of the highest levels of heat stress globally, with 83.6% suffering from excessive heat exposure while working, according to a 2024 report by the International Labour Organization, a UN agency. The dangers of a warming planet were tragically exemplified last June when over 1,300 individuals died during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, predominantly unauthorized pilgrims exposed to prolonged outdoor conditions.
Furthermore, a 2022 Greenpeace report highlighted that the Middle East faces significant risks of water and food shortages, along with extreme heat waves, due to climate change. This study, which included six countries such as the UAE, revealed that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, making its food and water resources exceedingly susceptible to climate impacts.