Here’s when Dubai summer will end after the longest day of 2026 arrives
UAE prepares for rising heat, humidity and seasonal weather changes
DUBAI – Summer officially arrives in Dubai on Sunday, June 21, marking the beginning of the city’s hottest season with rising temperatures, increasing humidity and changing weather patterns expected across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The 2026 summer period will last for 94 days, ending on Wednesday, September 23, as the region moves towards the autumnal equinox. The season also begins with the summer solstice, bringing the longest day of the year and nearly 14 hours of daylight across the country.
The summer solstice will take place on June 21 at 08:25 GMT, or 12:25pm UAE time, when the Sun reaches its northernmost position relative to Earth and appears directly above the Tropic of Cancer. The astronomical event marks the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and creates the longest day and shortest night of the year.
According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, daylight hours in the UAE will reach around 13 hours and 50 minutes between June 18 and June 24. After this period, daylight hours will gradually reduce as the country moves towards the autumnal equinox in September.
Summer solstice
During the solstice, the Sun will be directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, meaning areas along the line of direct solar alignment will experience almost no shadow at midday. Across the Arabian Peninsula, noon shadows will shrink to their shortest length of the year.
The phenomenon occurs because Earth’s axis is tilted by around 23.5 degrees, allowing the Northern Hemisphere to receive its maximum exposure to sunlight during this period. While the solstice brings the most daylight, it does not represent the peak of summer heat.
Temperatures usually continue increasing after the solstice because land and sea surfaces gradually absorb and retain heat throughout the season. Traditional observations across the Arab region refer to this period with the saying, “There is no true heat until after the turning”, highlighting that the most intense conditions arrive after the Sun begins its apparent movement southward.
The hottest period in the Gulf typically occurs during July and the first part of August, when temperatures reach their seasonal peak.
Peak heat period
From June 21 until around August 10, average daytime temperatures across the UAE are expected to range between 41°C and 43°C, while overnight temperatures are forecast to remain between 27°C and 31°C.
This period is often influenced by northerly and north-westerly winds known locally as “Barah” winds, which can lead to blowing dust, reduced visibility and shifting sand dunes. Heatwaves may also develop, with temperatures rising at least three degrees above seasonal averages for several consecutive days. During prolonged hot spells, some areas may record daytime temperatures exceeding 50°C.
Hot and dry desert winds known as “Samoom” can also affect parts of the country, adding to the already intense summer conditions.
The second half of summer, from around August 11 until September 23, is expected to bring higher humidity levels while temperatures remain elevated. During this period, moist south-easterly winds known as “Kous” winds typically become more active.
The increase in moisture during late summer can support the formation of convective clouds over the Hajar Mountains and nearby areas. These conditions may occasionally result in localised thunderstorms and rainfall events, particularly in eastern parts of the UAE.
The date of the summer solstice can vary slightly each year, occurring on June 20, 21 or 22 depending on calendar cycles and leap-year adjustments. The change is caused by Earth’s axial tilt rather than any variation in the distance between Earth and the Sun.
While astronomical summer begins on June 21, meteorologists follow a different seasonal calendar based on temperature patterns. Meteorological summer in the Northern Hemisphere runs from June 1 to August 31 each year.