Weather in Dubai in August

How August compares

August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Dubai and ranks 1st of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Within United Arab Emirates it is 1st of 2 (United Arab Emirates in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Dubai is 21.2°C warmer by day and 15.6°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Dubai peaks at 42.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 44.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and almost every pass 30°C. Nights average 29.1°C; one night in ten drops to 26.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 47.9°C (2018-08-09) and the coldest night 24.3°C (1992-08-21).

Rain in August

Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 0 days with 1 mm or more, 1 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2013 with 6 mm, the driest 1991 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 49%.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 33.4°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 32.9°C to 34.0°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 10.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:53 and sets about 18:54 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 16%.

Is August a good time to visit Dubai?

August is not the strongest month here: hot days with intense heat. The best months for Dubai on our scoring are November, December, February; months averaging 25°C or more: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Plan around the heat, not just the sunshine

August is Dubai's warmest month, and the average high does not tell the whole story: the hottest days reach 44.9°C or more. Treat midday as time for indoor plans rather than a test of endurance. Put any walking towards the edges of the day, while remembering that early starts and evenings will still feel hot. Loose, lightweight clothing, shade and regular drinking water should be part of your routine, not afterthoughts. A light layer can be useful in air-conditioned spaces, but warm outdoor evening clothes are unlikely to earn their place in your suitcase. This is a poor fit if you want to spend most of your holiday on foot.

Swimming is possible, but the sea is not a cool-down

At 33.4°C, the sea is warm enough for swimming but offers little contrast with the heat on land. That makes August less appealing if your idea of a swim is a crisp, refreshing dip. There is about 10.8 hours of sunshine a day, so lack of sun is unlikely to frustrate outdoor plans; managing exposure is the bigger task. Keep swims and time beside the water flexible, with shade and an indoor retreat available. Rain is rarely a practical concern, with about 0 rainy days, but dry weather should not be mistaken for comfortable weather. Pack sun protection before rainwear and avoid planning an entire day in direct sun.