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Cold wave hits UAE; how weather will shift as Ramadan begins
The start of the holy month will see pleasant weather with cooler to moderate temperatures in the early mornings and nights
- PUBLISHED: Wed 26 Feb 2025, 5:33 PM
Those fasting during Ramadan in the UAE will see cooler temperatures during the first few days of the holy month.
The country saw a drop of “at least five degrees” between Monday and Tuesday as a cold wave hit the country on February 25.
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The UAE saw lows of below 10°C on Wednesday. Cooler days are expected to persist over the next few days, according to an expert from the country’s meteorological department.
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In an interview with Khaleej Times on Wednesday, Dr Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist at the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), explained the reasons behind this temperature shift. “When comparing Monday and Tuesday, there has been a noticeable temperature drop of up to 5 degrees… this week. Yesterday (on Tuesday), the weather was influenced by an airmass moving from the north of the Arabian Gulf, specifically from Saudi Arabia and Iraq. This airmass, associated with a north-westerly wind and an extension of high pressure, came from a very cold region in Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, gradually moving towards the UAE.”
Why neighbouring countries are colder than the UAE?
Notably, Saudi Arabia is currently facing a moderate cold wave that began on Monday, with temperatures dropping below freezing in some northern and central areas.
Likewise, Kuwait experienced its coldest February in 60 years, as a powerful Siberian polar cold wave led to an exceptional temperature drop. Minimum temperatures reached as low as -1°C in locations like Mataraba and Salmi.
Habib added, “But as this airmass travelled south, it modified, causing a gradual rise in temperature. This explains the noticeable temperature difference between the north and south of the Arabian Gulf. While northern Saudi Arabia had temperatures close to freezing, the UAE’s temperatures were around 9-10°C at night with a higher daytime maximum.”
He also pointed out that Wednesday’s temperatures are similar to Tuesday, with only a slight increase expected in the coming days due to the continuing influence of the north-westerly wind.
“Over the next five days, temperatures will remain relatively steady, with only a slight rise expected. This means that the start of Ramadan will see pleasant weather, not hot, with cooler to moderate temperatures in the early mornings and nights. This will be particularly pronounced in the interior and mountainous regions.
Lower wind speed today
Meanwhile, the north westerly wind will continue to impact us.
“Today, the cloud cover is mainly confined to the sea and the northern parts of the UAE. The weather is sunnier than yesterday, and the north-westerly wind is less intense, with only moderate to fresh winds over the sea. As a result, the weather today feels warmer than yesterday, though the airmass is essentially the same. The difference is that the wind speed is lower today, making it feel warmer, whereas yesterday’s fresher winds gave a cooler sensation.”
The weather analyst explained the cloud cover will continue, particularly in the northern UAE.
“Light rain is expected on Wednesday evening and Thursday in Ras al Khaimah, with Abu Dhabi seeing only cloud cover. The sea will remain rough in the Arabian Gulf over the next five days, while the Oman Sea will be moderate, occasionally becoming rough,” added Habib.
