Destination guide
Dubai weather by month
November, December and February are the best months to visit Dubai for a holiday that includes time outdoors. Daytime averages range from 26°C in December and February to 31°C in November, so you get warmth without the fiercest heat. January is cooler still, while spring quickly becomes hot. Summer is the main catch: August averages 43°C by day, making air-conditioned breaks central to your plans rather than an occasional comfort.
- Hottest month
- 42.6°CAugust
- Coolest month
- 24.0°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 33.4°CAugust
- Flight from London
- 7 h 36 minLong-haul (7 h+) · estimated
Dubai, month by month
A little perspective
Dubai through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.0°C | 13.7°C | 22.0°C | 7.3 | 17 | 2 | 36% |
| Februarybest | 25.9°C | 14.6°C | 21.3°C | 8.3 | 13 | 2 | 57% |
| March | 29.2°C | 16.9°C | 22.6°C | 8.3 | 17 | 2 | 84% |
| April | 34.4°C | 20.3°C | 25.3°C | 9.4 | 5 | 1 | 98% |
| May | 39.2°C | 24.0°C | 28.9°C | 11.7 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| June | 41.4°C | 26.2°C | 31.7°C | 12.8 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| July | 42.4°C | 28.8°C | 33.0°C | 10.9 | 3 | 0 | 100% |
| August | 42.6°C | 29.1°C | 33.4°C | 10.8 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| September | 40.3°C | 26.3°C | 32.8°C | 11.3 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| October | 36.4°C | 22.9°C | 31.0°C | 10.5 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| Novemberbest | 30.7°C | 19.0°C | 27.9°C | 9.0 | 3 | 1 | 99% |
| Decemberbest | 26.2°C | 15.5°C | 24.4°C | 7.8 | 7 | 1 | 68% |
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
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Dubai
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. January is the wettest month (17 mm, about 2 rainy days) and May the driest (0 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 33.4°C and coolest in February at 21.3°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Dubai International Airport (DXB, 20 km from Dubai) 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 Dubai between 1991 and 2020 reached 47.9°C on 9 August 2018; the coldest fell to 6.2°C on 18 January 2013. In August one day in ten tops 44.9°C and about 100% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 10.3°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was March 1997 with 154 mm, against a March average of 17 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Dubai
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:06 | 17:50 | 10.7 h | 7.3 h |
| February | 06:54 | 18:12 | 11.3 h | 8.3 h |
| March | 06:28 | 18:28 | 12.0 h | 8.3 h |
| April | 05:56 | 18:41 | 12.7 h | 9.4 h |
| May | 05:34 | 18:56 | 13.4 h | 11.7 h |
| June | 05:29 | 19:10 | 13.7 h | 12.8 h |
| July | 05:38 | 19:11 | 13.5 h | 10.9 h |
| August | 05:53 | 18:54 | 13.0 h | 10.8 h |
| September | 06:05 | 18:23 | 12.3 h | 11.3 h |
| October | 06:17 | 17:52 | 11.6 h | 10.5 h |
| November | 06:36 | 17:31 | 10.9 h | 9.0 h |
| December | 06:56 | 17:32 | 10.6 h | 7.8 h |
November to March: the easiest weather for time outdoors
This is the most comfortable stretch for travellers who want to spend much of the day outside. November brings 31°C afternoons and a 28°C sea, making it a good compromise if swimming matters. December eases to 26°C by day, with evenings cool enough to justify a light layer. January is the coolest month at 24°C, falling to 14°C at night. February warms slightly, though its 21°C sea may feel cool when you first get in. March reaches 29°C, with warmer water too. Rain can interrupt plans, but these months average only 1 or 2 rain days each; heat is much less restrictive than in summer.
April, May and October: warmer water, hotter afternoons
April is the gentler option here, averaging 34°C by day and 20°C at night, with a 25°C sea that suits a swimming-focused holiday. You will still want shade and breaks during the hottest part of the day. May marks a sharper change: afternoons average 39°C and nights remain at 24°C, so long outdoor days become harder work. October is less hot than May at 36°C, but its 31°C sea offers limited cooling after time in the sun. Choose these months if warm water matters more than mild afternoons, and plan outdoor time towards morning or evening rather than assuming you can stay out comfortably all day.
June to September: plan around the heat
Summer suits travellers happy to organise their days around air-conditioned spaces and shorter spells outdoors. June averages 41°C by day, rising to 42°C in July and 43°C in August, the hottest month. July and August nights average 29°C, so going out after dark does not bring a cool evening. September is still firmly hot at 40°C by day and 26°C at night; it is not yet a mild alternative to summer. The sea reaches 33°C from July through September, making swimming warm rather than particularly refreshing. Pack loose, lightweight clothing and sun protection, and leave room to change outdoor plans when the heat feels too much.
A little more detail
Dubai weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Dubai?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Dubai are November, December and February. August is the hottest month (average high 42.6°C) and January the coolest (24.0°C).
How many months a year is Dubai over 25°C?
11 months in Dubai average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 12 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Dubai?
January is the wettest month in Dubai (17 mm on average) and May the driest (0 mm). Annual rainfall averages 68 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Dubai?
The hottest day recorded in Dubai between 1991 and 2020 reached 47.9°C on 9 August 2018; the coldest fell to 6.2°C on 18 January 2013. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is Dubai best for swimming without intense daytime heat?
November offers a useful balance, with a 28°C sea and daytime temperatures averaging 31°C. December is cooler on land at 26°C, while the sea averages 24°C. April has a 25°C sea, but its 34°C afternoons need more care.
Will I need warm clothes in Dubai?
A light layer is sensible for winter evenings, especially in January when nights average 14°C. February nights average 15°C and December 16°C. Lightweight daytime clothing should still be useful, as even January afternoons average 24°C.
Is September a good time to avoid the summer heat?
No - September still averages 40°C by day, with nights at 26°C and the sea at 33°C. October is a step down in heat, but November is the better choice if comfortable outdoor time is your priority.
See also: United Arab Emirates weather by month · where else is hot in August
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Dubai. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 10 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.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