DUBAI // The cool, breezy days of what seemed like an endless winter are, sadly, a thing of the past.
Over the past week the temperatures have been nudging ever higher and the air getting heavier, meaning the inevitable, if rather late, start of summer is upon us.
Residents holding out hopes of another pleasant weekend were left disappointed as for the first time this year the mercury hit 40 degrees Celsius.
Forecasters at the National Centre of Metrology and Seismology (NCMS) said anyone planning a Friday at the beach could expect highs of 41 degrees, while those thinking of camping out in the desert would have to sweat it out in 44 degrees.
Julie Smith and her friends cancelled a picnic at Zabeel Park because of the midday heat.
“Yesterday was such a lovely cloudy evening that me and my friends decided to spend our holiday in the park and have some open air. But even at 10am it was not just possible to sit outside for 10 minutes in such an unexpected hot day.
“We therefore cancelled our picnic and will now go to the cinema instead,” said the 25-year Filipina who works as a sales representative.
S Ahmed said yesterday would be the last Friday he would be walking to the mosque for prayers.
“Now I have to take out my car, even for going to the mosque which is just five minutes away,” said 51-year-old engineer from Pakistan.
Krishna P said he almost fainted while walking to a metro station at noon.
“The last few months I used to walk to the station that is 15 minutes from my home. But today it became like an unending journey. I had to take a break under shade two times. I am feeling drained out despite that I am now inside the chilling metro station,” said 32-year-old Indian who was on the way to the airport to pick up a friend.
Although the temperatures dropped as the sun set, the humidity made the air muggy and uncomfortable.
The NCMS said the next 48 hours should see partly cloudy and dusty conditions with light to moderate winds across the country. The humidity is expected to increase in the evening and early morning with a chance of fog.
Despite the high temperatures the NCMS said there was a chance of showers over eastern regions.
akhaishgi@thenational.ae