The weather and climate of Abu Dhabi

Weather forecast

There's a simple forecast on the left. More detailed forecasts with a yachting focus can be found at Weather Online. These include wind and UV forecasts for Abu Dhabi and other areas in the UAE.

For a more general forecast and information on the region's climate, visit Abu Dhabi Weather.

The climate in Abu Dhabi

With its sub-tropical, arid climate, Abu Dhabi enjoys almost year-round sunshine, with little rainfall and near perfect winter temperatures, making the region ideal for sailing and an ideal alternative to the Caribbean for escaping European winters.

Sunny blue skies and high temperatures can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is sporadic, falling mainly in winter (November to March) and averaging 12cms per year in most of the emirate. Rain is more common in the ‘Oasis City' of Al Ain, the emirate’s second largest city, due to its proximity to the Hajar mountains.

Temperatures range from a low of around 13°C (50°F) on a winter’s night, to a high of around 42°C (118°F) on a summer’s day. The cooler months, November to April, are the most pleasant time to visit, when temperatures are around 24°C (75°F) during the day and 13°C (56°F) at night.

The seasons are separated into four, with June to September often being very hot; this heat can be accompanied by high levels of humidity, which sometimes makes the temperature feel much higher than it actually is.

August and September are characterised by heat and humidity but there can also be periods of very pleasant weather in these months.

From December through to March the climate is much more pleasant with cooler temperatures and the occasional rain shower, which can be heavy. The odd large storm system is not unusual at this time of year with high winds and heavy rain. December and January can be relatively chilly, especially at night with the temperatures dropping towards10°C.

April/May and October/November are regarded as the transitional months and are usually a great time to be outdoors, and this brings a more Mediterranean type climate to Abu Dhabi.