General Information » Environment » Climate

Abu Dhabi has a sub-tropical, arid climate and, with sunny blue skies, high temperatures can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is sporadic, falling mainly in winter – November to March (averaging 12 cm per year) in most of the emirate but more common in Al Ain, in both summer and winter, due to its proximity to the Hajar mountains. Temperatures range from a low of around 10° C (50° F), on a winter's night, to a high of around 48° C (118° F), on a summer's day. The cooler months, November to April, are the most pleasant time to visit, when temperatures are around 24° C (75° F) during the day and 13° C (56° F) at night.

There are occasional sandstorms, when the wind (known as the ‘shamal’) whips the sand off the desert. More surprisingly, thick fog occasionally sets in on winter mornings, but is invariably burnt off by mid morning. The humidity can be a killer in the summer, July, August and September are the worst, approaching 100% – prepare to sweat!