UAE: Residents turn into 'desert vampires', head outdoors after sundown amid record heat

With the UAE recording a blistering 51.6°C this week, the hottest temperatures in May in over a decade, residents across the country are shifting their routines to beat the heat. As daylight hours become increasingly unbearable, many are reclaiming the night to enjoy the outdoors while it’s still relatively cool.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirmed that Saturday's 51.6°C scorcher topped the previous May record of 50.2ºC set in 2009, making it the highest May temperature since records began in 2003. This comes just weeks after the UAE saw its hottest April on record, with average daily highs reaching 42.6ºC.

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With summer arriving earlier and more intensely than ever, people are adapting fast by turning night into their new day, turning into what some call 'desert vampires'.

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For Dubai resident Shama Al Madi, a 41-year-old marketing executive and mother of two, the beach has become a nightly escape. “I used to go for walks around Jumeirah in the mornings before work,” she said. “But now, I don’t even think about stepping out until after 9pm.”

After putting her kids to bed, she heads to Kite Beach, sometimes with a portable speaker and a thermos of iced tea. “It’s peaceful, there’s a nice breeze, and you still get to enjoy the sound of waves without melting. The beach is surprisingly lively at night now, with people jogging, kids playing, and families picnicking. It’s become a bit of a ritual.”

Meanwhile, in Sharjah, Ali Mitnour, a 32-year-old accountant originally from Jordan, has completely shifted his workout routine. “I used to run just after Fajr prayer, but even then it was getting too hot. Now I run around Al Majaz Waterfront after 10pm,” he said

“It’s more crowded than you'd expect, with families and cyclists. It feels like the city has adjusted its body clock. It’s a totally different vibe, it feels less rushed.”

In Abu Dhabi, Amal Abdulla, 26, a civil engineer working on sustainable infrastructure projects, has embraced late-night fitness with a local women’s running club. “We meet at 9.30pm three times a week,” she said. “It’s become this great social thing. We stretch, run a few kilometres, then grab karak or juice. The city feels alive in a different way at night.”

Originally from Ras Al Khaimah, Amal moved to the Capital last year and credits the club with helping her build friendships. “We even joke that we’ve turned into desert vampires. But honestly, it works. The streets are cooler, and it’s the only time you can really enjoy being outside.”

Even on nights she’s not running, Amal says she still tries to make the most of the cooler hours. “Sometimes I’ll just sit on the balcony with a book or meet a friend at the corniche. We’re all just trying to stay sane and not stay cooped up in AC 24/7. Being outdoors, even briefly, feels like a reset.”

Waad Barakat

Staff Writer

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waad@khaleejtimes.com

Waad Barakat is a Special Correspondent covering security topics, from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to blend it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.