Farewell summer…

UAE Weather: It may only be the end of August, and while we have been experiencing a few ‘cooler’ evenings here in the UAE, it is still officially summer. While the start of winter is still a few months away, we bring some good news that will help cool you off.

Towards the end of July 2024, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomy Society stated we were a month away from the rising of the star of Suhail. And now, the International Astronomical Center stated the Suhail star was officially spotted in the dawn sky of the UAE over the weekend on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

So, what does this mean? Well, according to folklore, the rising of the Suhail star is a sign that marks the end of the intensity of heat and the start of better weather here in the UAE. This typically comes in the second half of August.

The Suhail star is the second brightest star in the sky and is 27 million years old, and 310 light years away from Earth. It comes second only after Sirius from the constellation Canis Major.

Now, of course, we shouldn’t expect an immediate drop in temperatures. UAE residents can expect a 70 to 80-day delay for significant temperature drops to be felt.

While we wait…

There are plenty of ways to keep cool in Dubai. Here are 60 great indoor activities in Dubai to try this summer or if you’re in the mood to really feel the chill, here are 6 of the hottest ways to keep cool in Dubai this summer.

For our readers in Abu Dhabi, we haven’t forgotten about you – here are 50 great indoor adventures in the capital to escape the heat.

What is the hottest temp ever recorded in the UAE?

The official record for the UAE’s highest ever temp — and remember these are recorded in the shade, by specialist calibrated equipment, so the Insta Story screenshots of your car’s thermometer don’t count Susan — was July 2002, an eye-sweating 52.1ºC (125.78ºF). Phew…

Images: Getty Images