Country guide
United Arab Emirates weather by month
The United Arab Emirates is easiest for city trips in winter, while spring and autumn offer warmer water for beach holidays. Average daytime temperatures rise from 24°C in January to 41°C in July and August, so summer calls for much more time indoors. November is a useful compromise, with the sea at 28°C and less intense daytime heat. Dubai runs warmer than Abu Dhabi overall, but the seasonal change matters more than the choice between them.
- Hottest month
- 41.5°CAugust
- Coolest month
- 23.6°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 33.6°CAugust
- Destinations tracked
- 2warmest: Dubai
United Arab Emirates, month by month
A little perspective
United Arab Emirates through the year
Country figures are the mean of the 2 destinations listed below; individual resorts can differ by several degrees.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.6°C | 14.6°C | 21.5°C | 7.3 | 14 | 2 | 29% |
| Februarybest | 25.3°C | 15.4°C | 21.0°C | 8.3 | 11 | 2 | 49% |
| March | 28.5°C | 17.6°C | 22.5°C | 8.4 | 15 | 2 | 79% |
| April | 33.3°C | 21.0°C | 25.4°C | 9.4 | 5 | 1 | 98% |
| May | 37.9°C | 24.8°C | 29.1°C | 11.6 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| June | 39.8°C | 26.9°C | 31.8°C | 12.7 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| July | 41.0°C | 29.4°C | 33.1°C | 10.8 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| August | 41.5°C | 29.8°C | 33.6°C | 10.8 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| September | 39.3°C | 27.2°C | 32.9°C | 11.3 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| October | 35.6°C | 24.0°C | 31.0°C | 10.5 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| Novemberbest | 30.2°C | 20.3°C | 27.7°C | 9.0 | 3 | 1 | 99% |
| Decemberbest | 25.8°C | 16.7°C | 24.0°C | 7.8 | 6 | 1 | 62% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
When to go to United Arab Emirates
Daytime highs average 25°C or more in February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The sea reaches a swimmable 22°C from March to December. Winter (December to February) averages 25°C by day - genuine winter sun. March is the wettest month (15 mm) and May the driest (0 mm).
Destinations in United Arab Emirates
Each has a 12-month table; our most searched places have month-by-month detail pages.
Warmest place in United Arab Emirates each month
| Month | Warmest destination | Day | Coolest destination | Day | Warmest sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dubai | 24°C | Abu Dhabi | 23°C | Dubai 22°C |
| February | Dubai | 26°C | Abu Dhabi | 25°C | Dubai 21°C |
| March | Dubai | 29°C | Abu Dhabi | 28°C | Dubai 23°C |
| April | Dubai | 34°C | Abu Dhabi | 32°C | Abu Dhabi 26°C |
| May | Dubai | 39°C | Abu Dhabi | 37°C | Abu Dhabi 29°C |
| June | Dubai | 41°C | Abu Dhabi | 38°C | Abu Dhabi 32°C |
| July | Dubai | 42°C | Abu Dhabi | 40°C | Abu Dhabi 33°C |
| August | Dubai | 43°C | Abu Dhabi | 40°C | Abu Dhabi 34°C |
| September | Dubai | 40°C | Abu Dhabi | 38°C | Abu Dhabi 33°C |
| October | Dubai | 36°C | Abu Dhabi | 35°C | Dubai 31°C |
| November | Dubai | 31°C | Abu Dhabi | 30°C | Dubai 28°C |
| December | Dubai | 26°C | Abu Dhabi | 25°C | Dubai 24°C |
How the weather changes through the year
January and February offer the gentlest daytime conditions, with nights at 15°C making a light layer useful after dark. March warms to 28°C by day, before April reaches 33°C and outdoor plans need more thought around midday. May marks the move into stronger heat at 38°C; June, July and August are better suited to travellers happy to spend much of the day indoors. August nights average 30°C, so evening does not bring a cool reset. September remains very hot, and October still reaches 36°C. November brings a clearer easing of the heat, followed by December at 26°C. Rain days are few throughout the year, but a winter visit is not a guarantee of completely dry weather.
When to go for beaches or city time
For a beach holiday with warm water and more manageable air temperatures, November is a strong choice: days average 30°C and the sea 28°C. April also works if you tolerate hotter afternoons, with sea temperatures of 25°C. December offers a cooler balance, while January to March suit travellers who prefer milder weather on land and do not mind cooler swims. February has the coolest sea at 21°C. October's sea stays warm at 31°C, but daytime heat remains a catch. For walking around cities, favour December to March and keep a light layer for evenings. Summer is a poor fit for long outdoor days, and even the sea offers limited cooling when it reaches 34°C in August.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: how much does the choice matter?
Dubai is warmer overall, with an annual average daytime temperature of 34.4°C compared with Abu Dhabi's 32.6°C. That makes Abu Dhabi the cooler option on this comparison, but not a way around the country's summer heat. If heat tolerance is your main concern, changing the month is likely to help more than switching between these cities. These annual averages do not establish the difference in every month, so avoid assuming an identical gap throughout the year. For either destination, winter gives you more flexibility to spend time outside; in hotter months, plan outdoor time towards the morning, seek shade and keep indoor alternatives available. Evenings remain warm in summer, so packing only for daytime misses an important part of the conditions.
A little more detail
United Arab Emirates weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
When is the best time to visit United Arab Emirates?
Weighing warmth, low rainfall and sunshine across 2 destinations, the best months for United Arab Emirates are November, February, December. August is the hottest month (average high 41.5°C) and January the coolest (23.6°C).
How many months is United Arab Emirates over 25°C?
11 months average a daytime high of 25°C or more across our United Arab Emirates destinations.
Which is the hottest place in United Arab Emirates?
Over the year, Dubai has the highest average daytime temperature of the 2 United Arab Emirates destinations we track (34.4°C averaged across all months).
Is winter warm enough for swimming?
Winter sea temperatures range from 21°C in February to 24°C in December. Swimming can suit travellers comfortable with cooler water, but it may not feel warm enough for everyone. November offers a warmer alternative, with the sea at 28°C.
Does the UAE cool down in September?
September eases slightly from the summer peak, but it is still very hot: days average 39°C and nights 27°C. The sea remains warm at 33°C. For a more comfortable mix of outdoor time and swimming, November is the better choice.
Will rain disrupt a winter city break?
January, February and March each average 2 rain days, while December averages 1. Rain is therefore a relatively small consideration when choosing your month, though a dry trip is not guaranteed. Keeping outdoor plans flexible is sensible.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 2 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C