The UAE set a new UAE May temperature record for two consecutive days in late May 2025, with the Sweihan area of Abu Dhabi registering 51.6°C on Saturday — just a day after hitting 50.4°C on Friday. Both readings shattered the previous May benchmark of 50.2°C that had stood since 2009, marking an extraordinary early-summer heat event across the Emirates.
Back-to-Back Records in Sweihan
On Friday, Sweihan became the first location in the UAE to exceed the old May record when thermometers climbed to 50.4°C. The following day temperatures rose again to 51.6°C — within 0.4°C of the UAE's all-time high of 52°C recorded on Al Yasat Island in 2010. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirmed both readings and issued a formal heat warning, urging residents to exercise caution outdoors.
What Made This Heatwave Worse
The record-breaking spike did not arrive in isolation. April 2025 was already the UAE's hottest April on record, and May daily maximum temperatures were averaging 42.6°C nationwide before the back-to-back extreme days hit. Meteorologists point to the Arabian Heat Low — a weather system that normally builds during summer — as the driving force. An unusually dry spring caused this feature to develop weeks ahead of schedule, sending temperatures soaring earlier than usual.
Climate scientists monitoring the pattern note that 2024 was already warmer than 2023 globally, driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions. The UAE, as a desert nation, is acutely exposed to these shifts, and experts warn that longer, hotter summers are now the expected trajectory.
NCM Heat Safety Advice
The NCM's heat warning carried specific guidance for residents and visitors:
- Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between midday and 3 pm when temperatures peak. - Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even before feeling thirsty. - Wear loose, light-coloured clothing to reflect heat. - Never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle — cabin temperatures can rise to dangerous levels within minutes.
Authorities also encouraged people to limit outdoor physical activity, keep homes cool, and check the latest NCM forecasts regularly throughout the summer.
Outlook for the UAE Summer
With such an early and intense start to the season, meteorologists expect Sweihan and other inland desert areas to continue experiencing temperature spikes as summer progresses. The UAE's desert geography makes it one of the most heat-vulnerable countries in the world, and the May 2025 records are a sharp reminder of why summer preparedness and personal heat-safety awareness are essential for everyone living and working in the Emirates.
