#1Hot
Dubai
- Day
- 39.2°C
- Sea
- 28.9°C
- Sun
- 11.7h
- Rain days
- 0
Your May weather guide
Weather in United Arab Emirates in May
May is a good month for the United Arab Emirates if you want warm sea swimming and can plan around strong heat, but it is less suited to long days outdoors. Average daytime temperatures reach 38°C, nights stay around 25°C and the sea is 29°C. The main decision is how much heat you enjoy rather than how to avoid rain. Keep outdoor plans for the morning and evening, with somewhere cool to spend the middle of the day.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 37.9°Cacross 2 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 24.8°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 29.0°Cwarm enough to swim
- Rainy days
- 0days1 mm or more
United Arab Emirates, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in United Arab Emirates in May
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Hot
Abu Dhabi
- Day
- 36.6°C
- Sea
- 29.2°C
- Sun
- 11.6h
- Rain days
- 0
United Arab Emirates destinations ranked for May
All 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates, ordered by daytime high.
May climate overview
Daytime highs across United Arab Emirates in May run from 36.6°C (Abu Dhabi) to 39.2°C (Dubai). In Dubai about 100% of May days reach 25°C. Nights average 24.8°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Abu Dhabi fall to 22°C or below.
Rainfall in May
Expect around 0 rainy days (1 mm or more) in May, with Dubai the driest (0 days) and Abu Dhabi the wettest (0 days). The wettest May at Dubai between 1991 and 2020 was 2012 with 1 mm; the driest was 1991 with 0 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 29.0°C around United Arab Emirates in May - warmest at Abu Dhabi (29.2°C). That is comfortable for swimming.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 11.6 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 13.2 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
May against the rest of the year in United Arab Emirates
May is the 5th warmest month of the twelve in United Arab Emirates. It is 4.6°C warmer than April and 1.9°C warmer in June. The hottest month here is August (41°C) and the coolest January (24°C).
Which part of United Arab Emirates in May?
- Most sunshine: Dubai, 11.7 h a day.
- Driest: Dubai, about 0 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Abu Dhabi, 29°C.
- Hottest: Dubai, 39°C by day - intense for sightseeing.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Abu Dhabi, 37°C.
What to pack for United Arab Emirates in May
Based on the averages: light, loose clothing and serious sun protection - midday highs sit around 38°C; swimwear - the sea is 29°C.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: a small difference in heat
Abu Dhabi is the cooler daytime choice at 37°C, compared with Dubai at 39°C, though neither offers much relief from the May heat. If daytime comfort is your priority, that gives Abu Dhabi a slight edge, not a reason to expect mild conditions. Dubai has the cooler nights at 24°C, while Abu Dhabi stays at 26°C, so the balance shifts after sunset. The sea is 29°C in each destination, making water temperature less useful as a deciding factor. Choose around your preferred daily routine: slightly lower daytime heat in Abu Dhabi, or slightly cooler evenings in Dubai.
Expect sunshine, warm water and a midday pause
With 11.6 hours of sunshine a day and an average of 0 rainy days, May calls for sun protection rather than wet-weather planning. Take light, loose clothing, a hat and sunglasses, and keep water handy when you are outside. Put walks and other outdoor plans early in the morning or towards evening; leave the hottest part of the day for rest or indoor time. The sea is warm, so swimming suits travellers who dislike a cool dip, but do not count on it feeling brisk. May works best if you are happy to slow your pace and make shade part of the plan.
A little more detail
United Arab Emirates in May FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in United Arab Emirates in May?
Dubai is the warmest of the 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates in May with an average high of 39.2°C; Abu Dhabi is the coolest at 36.6°C.
Is the sea warm in United Arab Emirates in May?
The sea averages 22°C or more at Dubai (29°C), Abu Dhabi (29°C) in May.
How much hotter is the UAE than London in May?
The UAE averages 38°C by day, compared with London's 17°C. That is a substantial change in conditions, so plan a gentler pace rather than carrying over the amount of outdoor walking you might enjoy at home.
Will I need warm clothes in the evening?
Outdoor evenings remain warm: average night temperatures are 24°C in Dubai and 26°C in Abu Dhabi. Heavy layers are unlikely to be useful outside. A light extra layer is a practical option if you prefer more coverage indoors.
Is rain likely to disrupt a May holiday?
May averages 0 rainy days across the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so rain is not the main planning concern. That average is not a guarantee of completely dry weather, but heat deserves much more attention when arranging outdoor time.
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