E-Paper
Sign In
Extreme UAE summer to ease soon? Suhail star rises, but not spotted yet
High humidity of 80 per cent or more, along with fog, obscured the star during its first appearance, with clearer viewing conditions expected for the public to see in the next coming days
- PUBLISHED: Mon 24 Aug 2026, 10:58 AM
The Suhail star began its annual rise in the UAE on Monday, August 24, but high humidity and fog prevented it from being clearly observed in the early hours of the morning, according to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society.
Al Jarwan was in Khor Fakkan to observe Suhail, also known as the “Star of Yemen”, as part of efforts to document its first appearance from different locations across the UAE.
Recommended For You
“We try to choose different areas across the UAE to document the sighting. We have covered southern and coastal areas, Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, and Jebel Jais, and we are now in Khor Fakkan,” he told Khaleej Times.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Despite August 24 being the calculated date for Suhail’s annual rise, an early sighting of the star with the naked eye is not always possible.
“Calculationally, it rises on August 24, and it has actually been observed on that date before. But over the past 10 years, we have generally observed it between August 26 and 28,” Al Jarwan said.
He said sightings on August 24 have been rare in recent years, with suitable weather conditions playing a major role in whether the star can be seen.
“It was observed once or twice on August 24 in the past 10 years. One sighting was confirmed, while another was uncertain,” he said.
This year, conditions were particularly challenging, with humidity reaching 80 per cent or more and fog affecting visibility.
“Humidity, dust and lights are what affect visibility, especially when we are talking about the first appearance of the star around August 24 and 25,” Al Jarwan said. “The humidity was high, at 80 per cent or more, and fog had formed, so we were unable to observe it.”
Al Jarwan said the star’s astronomical timing remains largely consistent from year to year, but that does not guarantee that it will be visible from the ground on the same date.
“The stars are fixed in their timing each year. When it rises on August 24 this year, it will rise on August 24 next year and the year after. There can be very slight changes over centuries, perhaps by a day or two every 100 years, but its date is almost fixed,” he said.
He added that visibility should improve in the coming days, provided skies are clear.
“From around August 28, in ordinary clear weather, the general public should be able to see it with the naked eye,” he said.
The appearance of Suhail is traditionally associated with a gradual shift away from the peak of summer heat. However, residents should not expect a sudden drop in temperatures immediately after the star appears.
The star marks the beginning of a roughly 40-day transitional period known as Sufriya, during which weather conditions gradually shift from the intensity of summer towards cooler conditions. The change is generally first noticed at night, while daytime temperatures can remain high through September.
Al Jarwan has previously compared the process to a cooking pot that remains hot after the flame underneath it has been turned off. While the intensity of the heating may begin to decline, the heat stored in the pot takes time to dissipate.
The traditional saying associated with Suhail similarly refers to cooler nights, rather than the immediate end of summer.
Al Jarwan also explained that Suhail remains visible at different times of the night as the year progresses, moving from the early morning sky in late August to later periods during the night and evening in subsequent months.
“In the final week of August, you can see it in the early morning. Around November, we can see it around midnight, and from February to April we can see it in the evening,” he said.
Weather conditions are expected to fluctuate during the Sufriya period before becoming more settled from around the middle of October with the arrival of the traditional Wasm season. The UAE’s winter season arrives considerably later.
Suhail also holds an important place in the UAE’s traditional astronomical calendar, known as Al Duroor. The ancient system divides the year into 36 periods of 10 days, with each period linked to astronomical and climatic conditions.
The calendar was historically used to help communities determine suitable periods for planting and harvesting, anticipate winds and rainfall, identify fishing and fish-breeding seasons, and track the migration of wild and sea birds.
The calculations of Al Duroor are closely linked to the rising of Suhail.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has also established a specialised committee to monitor and document the star, reflecting its significance to the UAE’s traditional calendar as well as to astronomy and meteorology. The initiative involves organisations including the National Centre of Meteorology, Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology, Emirates Astronomy Society and International Astronomical Centre.
Azza Al Ali is a reporter from Ras Al Khaimah, dedicated to sharing stories that bring the community’s voices to life. She’s passionate about connecting with people and highlighting what truly matters to them.