UAE weather: Intense humidity expected over next five days

The skyscrapers in JLT amid the hot and humid weather in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

People walk by Dubai Creek in Deira. Reem Mohammed / The National

A worker wearing a face mask on a hot and humid dayr at Jumeirah Island in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Hot and humid weather leaves its mark along the Sufouh beach in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Hot and humid conditions are evident along Sufouh beach in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The skyscrapers at JLT during a hot and humid day in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The skyline across JLT during a hot and humid day in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Hot and humid weather continues in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Residents and visitors are seen near the Kite Beach in Dubai after restrictions are eased although temperatures are in the high 30s. Antonie Robertson / The National

Residents and visitors are seen near the Kite Beach in Dubai after restrictions are eased although temperatures are in the high 30s. Antonie Robertson / The National

Beaches come back to life after restrictions were lifted in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Residents and visitors near the Kite Beach in Dubai after restrictions were lifted. Antonie Robertson / The National

Al Sabkha’s abra station in Deira, Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

A man sits by Dubai Creek on Baniyas road in Deira. Reem Mohammed / The National

A visitor sitting under the umbrella during a hot and humid day in Sufouh beach, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Reporter: N/A. Coronavirus/Covid-19. A lady wears a face mask as she walks across an open space of land in Al Barsha. Sunday, June 7th, 2020. Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man wearing a face mask walks across an open space of land in Al Barsha, Dubai on Sunday, June 7, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man shields his face from the sun on a hot day in Al Barsha, Dubai, on Sunday, June 7, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Intense humidity is expected to engulf the UAE for the rest of the week as forecasters warn of fog in some areas.

The National Centre of Meteorology said the sticky weather would persist until Saturday as the brunt of summer sets in.

Humidity levels across the country have been high over recent days, and the bureau predicting it could reach 90 per cent in coastal areas.

The muggy spell is expected to be particularly noticeable at night and early in the morning, when some fog may form over some internal and coastal areas in the north.

Temperatures will peak at 49°C in internal areas of the country this week but average in the mid to high 30s.

Light winds will offer little respite and may pick up blowing dust, causing a drop in visibility.

The sea will be mostly calm in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman.

Humid conditions are largely caused by the warming of the seas, which increases evaporation. Hotter temperatures on land also mean the air absorbs more water.

Humidity is often worse in coastal regions of the Emirates as northerly winds push moisture-soaked air inland.

But inland areas can also be very humid, too.

Average humidity levels on the coast and inland are fairly similar, at 50 to 60 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.

High temperatures combined with low humidity tend to be much more comfortable to deal with as sweat can evaporate into the atmosphere.

But if high temperatures are combined with high humidity, which often happens over the UAE summer, the atmosphere is already laden with moisture and becomes less able to absorb more.

That means sweat is not absorbed as quickly, which can cause people to overheat. Once humidity reaches 100 per cent, the air is totally saturated.

The level of humidity the UAE is currently experiencing is considered “extreme,” according to a report about climate change.

Adaptation of the UAE's Environment to Climate Change, published last year, predicted the phenomenon would accelerate.

It found that between 2060 and 2079, there would likely be a significant increase in both average temperatures and humidity in the country.

“Climate projections show a 2-3°C increase in average temperatures in the summer months of 2060-2079, although the changes may vary across the emirates.

“Humidity is expected to increase along the coast, while rainfall patterns are projected to change, with the Northern Emirates expected to have more intense rainfall episodes.”

It said to expect an “increase in humidity by about 10 per cent over the Arabian Gulf,” by this time, meaning 100 per cent humidity may become the rule, not the exception over the UAE’s long, hot summers.