Abu Dhabi weather by month

When to go to Abu Dhabi

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. March is the wettest month (13 mm, about 2 rainy days) and May the driest (0 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 33.7°C and coolest in February at 20.7°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Zayed International Airport (AUH, 26 km from Abu Dhabi) takes roughly 7 h 36 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Asia/Dubai.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Abu Dhabi between 1991 and 2020 reached 45.7°C on 7 July 2017; the coldest fell to 8.6°C on 30 January 1992. In August one day in ten tops 42.7°C and about 100% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 12.3°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was February 1993 with 109 mm, against a February average of 9 mm.

November to March: the easiest weather for outdoor days

This is the most comfortable stretch for travellers who want outdoor time without organising the whole day around heat. November combines warm afternoons with a sea temperature of 27°C, making it a good compromise for swimming and walking. December and February average 25°C by day, while January is cooler at 23°C. Pack a light layer for evenings, especially in January and February when nights average 16°C. March brings a noticeable warming trend without summer's intensity. The catch is cooler water: the sea averages 21°C in January and February, so swimming may feel brisk if you prefer warm water. Occasional rain is possible, but it need not dominate your plans.

April, May and October: warmer water, hotter afternoons

April offers a useful middle ground if sea warmth matters: water averaging 26°C comes with daytime temperatures of 32°C. That is already hot enough to favour morning outings and shaded breaks at midday. May pushes the balance towards heat, with days averaging 37°C and nights 26°C, so evenings offer only partial relief. October is less intense than May but still hot at 35°C by day, with sea temperatures of 31°C. These months suit travellers happy to keep outdoor plans flexible and spend the hottest part of the day indoors. Light clothing and sun protection matter more than rainwear, as each averages no rain days.

June to September: intense heat and very warm seas

Summer is the least forgiving choice for a holiday built around being outdoors. June and September both average 38°C by day, while July and August reach 40°C. Nights remain hot too, averaging 30°C in July and August, so going out after dark does not mean cool conditions. The sea offers limited cooling: it averages 32°C in June and reaches 34°C in August. Choose this period only if you are comfortable making air-conditioned breaks central to your day, with shorter outdoor spells early or late. September is not yet a comfortable autumn alternative; its heat and warm nights call for much the same approach as summer.