UAE temperatures to drop by up to 8°C as coldest winter stretch begins soon
Residents across the UAE may want to keep their woollens handy as the second half of January is set to bring a sharp dip in temperatures — one that many will feel almost overnight.According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), temperatures across the country could fall by as much as seven to eight degrees over a short two-day period, marking one of the more noticeable cold spells this winter.Dr Ahmed Habib, meteorologist at the NCM, told Khaleej Times on Monday that the change will begin midweek, as the country comes under the influence of colder air moving in from the north.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.The UAE, he explained, will be affected by north-westerly winds “starting January 15, bringing colder air from the north". As a result, temperatures will begin to drop gradually, “starting in the western parts of the country, before spreading to other regions.”The cooling will be felt first in the west before intensifying elsewhere. “On January 15, western areas are expected to see a temperature drop of about 3°C to 4°C, followed by a further decrease of around 5°C in other parts of the UAE. Over the two-day period of January 15 and 16, temperatures across the country could fall by a total of 7°C to 8°C,” Habib added.For those living or travelling to mountainous areas, the cold will be even more pronounced. Temperatures there are expected to fall below 10°C, “with early morning temperatures dropping to around 5°C to 7°C.”Along the coast, conditions will remain relatively milder, though still cooler than usual. “In coastal areas, daytime temperatures will range between 20°C–22°C, while internal areas will see slightly warmer conditions of around 22°C–24°C. Coastal regions will not experience the same level of cooling as inland areas and may only briefly dip below 20°C.“Internal desert areas, such as parts of Ajman and other inland locations, could see temperatures fall below 10°C, a drop that is unlikely in coastal zones.”Adding to the chill, winds are expected to pick up during the coldest days. Habib noted that on January 15 and 16, alongside the north-westerly flow, “fresh to strong winds are expected at times, increasing the wind chill effect” and making conditions feel colder than the thermometer suggests.Why inland areas feel colder than coastExplaining why coastal communities tend to cool less dramatically than inland and desert areas, Habib pointed to the thermal properties of seawater — specifically its ability to store and release heat slowly.“Seawater absorbs heat slowly during the day and releases it slowly at night. This stored heat acts as a temperature regulator, preventing sharp drops in air temperature near the coast. In contrast, desert and inland areas cool much more rapidly after sunset because sand and dry land lose heat quickly. As a result, inland and desert regions experience sharper nighttime temperature drops than coastal areas.”Fog, clouds and rain outlookAlongside falling temperatures, residents may also notice changing visibility conditions in the mornings. Habib emphasised that there is a chance of fog forming early Tuesday, particularly in internal areas, with fog potential continuing over the following days.Cloud cover is also expected to increase. Conditions will be fair to partly cloudy at times, with low clouds appearing over islands and some coastal areas.“On January 15, cloud cover is expected, especially during the morning and daytime hours over the northern and eastern parts of the UAE. There is also a chance of light rainfall in these regions, particularly in Ras Al Khaimah and the northern parts of Fujairah. Some cities may experience periods of cloud cover during the day.”UAE weather: Cloudy day expected; temperatures to dip to 10ºC in some areasWatch: Residents brave heavy rains, share umbrella amid downpour in FujairahUAE confirms main wave of rains over; highest rainfall of 127mm in RAK
Residents across the UAE may want to keep their woollens handy as the second half of January is set to bring a sharp dip in temperatures — one that many will feel almost overnight.
According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), temperatures across the country could fall by as much as seven to eight degrees over a short two-day period, marking one of the more noticeable cold spells this winter.
Dr Ahmed Habib, meteorologist at the NCM, told Khaleej Times on Monday that the change will begin midweek, as the country comes under the influence of colder air moving in from the north.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The UAE, he explained, will be affected by north-westerly winds “starting January 15, bringing colder air from the north". As a result, temperatures will begin to drop gradually, “starting in the western parts of the country, before spreading to other regions.”
The cooling will be felt first in the west before intensifying elsewhere. “On January 15, western areas are expected to see a temperature drop of about 3°C to 4°C, followed by a further decrease of around 5°C in other parts of the UAE. Over the two-day period of January 15 and 16, temperatures across the country could fall by a total of 7°C to 8°C,” Habib added.
For those living or travelling to mountainous areas, the cold will be even more pronounced. Temperatures there are expected to fall below 10°C, “with early morning temperatures dropping to around 5°C to 7°C.”
Along the coast, conditions will remain relatively milder, though still cooler than usual. “In coastal areas, daytime temperatures will range between 20°C–22°C, while internal areas will see slightly warmer conditions of around 22°C–24°C. Coastal regions will not experience the same level of cooling as inland areas and may only briefly dip below 20°C.
“Internal desert areas, such as parts of Ajman and other inland locations, could see temperatures fall below 10°C, a drop that is unlikely in coastal zones.”
Adding to the chill, winds are expected to pick up during the coldest days. Habib noted that on January 15 and 16, alongside the north-westerly flow, “fresh to strong winds are expected at times, increasing the wind chill effect” and making conditions feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Why inland areas feel colder than coast
Explaining why coastal communities tend to cool less dramatically than inland and desert areas, Habib pointed to the thermal properties of seawater — specifically its ability to store and release heat slowly.
“Seawater absorbs heat slowly during the day and releases it slowly at night. This stored heat acts as a temperature regulator, preventing sharp drops in air temperature near the coast. In contrast, desert and inland areas cool much more rapidly after sunset because sand and dry land lose heat quickly. As a result, inland and desert regions experience sharper nighttime temperature drops than coastal areas.”
Fog, clouds and rain outlook
Alongside falling temperatures, residents may also notice changing visibility conditions in the mornings. Habib emphasised that there is a chance of fog forming early Tuesday, particularly in internal areas, with fog potential continuing over the following days.
Cloud cover is also expected to increase. Conditions will be fair to partly cloudy at times, with low clouds appearing over islands and some coastal areas.
“On January 15, cloud cover is expected, especially during the morning and daytime hours over the northern and eastern parts of the UAE. There is also a chance of light rainfall in these regions, particularly in Ras Al Khaimah and the northern parts of Fujairah. Some cities may experience periods of cloud cover during the day.”
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