Brace for cooler weather, fog, rain in UAE this January

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cooler weather, fog, rain, UAE, January, National Centre of Meteorology, NCM,
A blanket of fog covers the upper crest of Burj Khalifa in Dubai.-KT photo

Dubai - The country will also experience fog and mist formations, especially early in the morning, throughout January.

by

Angel Tesorero

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Published: Tue 31 Dec 2019, 5:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 1 Jan 2020, 2:07 PM

Temperatures will continue to drop across the UAE in the first month of the new decade, according to the latest bulletin of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
The country will also experience fog and mist formations, especially early in the morning, throughout January. Besides, more clouds are expected, likely to bring scattered rains over some parts of the UAE.
"January is characterised by a drop in temperatures brought about by the extension of the Siberian high pressure (a massive collection of cold dry air that accumulates in the northeastern part of Europe and Asia) that extends from the north, accompanied by a cold air mass affecting the country and the Arabian Peninsula in general," the NCM said.
"Also, the region is affected during this month by a number of surface depressions crossing from west to east. At other times, it is affected by the extension of the Red Sea depression, and, sometimes, the presence of these depressions is accompanied by an upper air depression, which leads to an increase in the amount of clouds over the country in some days of this month, with rainfall."
The UAE will also be affected by northwesterly winds called Shamal, which can cause blowing sand and dust over internal areas, especially over the exposed areas of the country. These winds will lead to a rise in sea waves in the Arabian Gulf.
The NCM said the lowest temperature recorded over the country on Tuesday, New Year's Eve, was eight degrees Centigrade in Mebreh Mountain at 6:15am.
Usual January weather in UAE: Historical data
>Temperature
. The average temperature is between 16.4 and 20°C
. Average maximum temperature between 21.3 and 25.7°C
. The mean minimum temperature is between 11.6 and 15°C
. The highest temperature is 36°C in some regions, such as Assab in 1991, Al Hayer in 1983 and Al Awha in 1983
. The lowest temperature is -1.0°C over Raknah in 2008
>Wind
. Average wind speed is 12kmph
. The highest wind speed was 99.7kmph over Ghuwaifat in 2003
>Moisture
. Average relative humidity during this month is 64 per cent
. Average maximum relative humidity between 79 to 91 per cent
. Average minimum relative humidity between 35 to 47 per cent
> Fog
. 2010 was the year with highest number of foggy days over the past years, when fog was present for 17 days and mist for five days
>Rain
. The highest amount of rainfall was recorded 144mm during this month over Khor Fakkan in the year 1996
angel@khaleejtimes.com
 


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