By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
What is Dubai’s weather like each month?
Dubai has a desert coastal climate. Winters are mild and dry, summers are very hot and humid, and spring and autumn are the changeover. The table uses the 1991 to 2020 normals for Dubai International Airport. Humidity and sea temperature come from the Dubai Meteorological Office and sea-temperature sites, and they are approximate.
| Month | Mean high | Mean low | Sea | Humidity | Days with 1 mm+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.4°C | 15.3°C | about 21°C | about 65% | 2.8 |
| February | 26.1°C | 16.4°C | about 21°C | about 64% | 2.4 |
| March | 28.9°C | 18.6°C | about 22°C | about 61% | 3.4 |
| April | 33.7°C | 22.3°C | about 25°C | about 54% | 1.5 |
| May | 38.2°C | 26.1°C | about 28.5°C | about 50% | 1.0 |
| June | 40.0°C | 28.0°C | about 31°C | about 55% | 0 |
| July | 41.5°C | 31.2°C | about 32°C | about 55% | 2.0 |
| August | 41.9°C | 31.5°C | about 33°C | about 53% | 0 |
| September | 39.5°C | 28.9°C | about 32°C | about 59% | 1.0 |
| October | 35.9°C | 25.4°C | about 30°C | about 60% | 2.0 |
| November | 30.7°C | 21.1°C | about 27°C | about 61% | 1.9 |
| December | 26.5°C | 17.4°C | about 23°C | about 65% | 3.4 |
Humidity is a daily average. On summer nights near the coast it feels much higher.
Which season suits which plan?
- December to February: the best months for the desert and beaches. Our desert safari evenings can be cold, so bring a layer.
- March and April: warm and usually clear. Midday heat starts to bite by April.
- May to September: very hot. Read Dubai in summer for how to plan around the heat.
- October and November: the sea is still warm and the air cools. See the best time to visit Dubai.
When does it rain, and what happens on the roads?
Most rain falls between December and March, with a few storms in other months. Annual rainfall averages about 79 mm at the airport. On 16 April 2024 Dubai received a record fall of about 255 mm in a day, and roads, drainage and flights were disrupted. Storms like this are rare but real.
In rain, junctions on Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road slow, and underpasses can flood. See Dubai rush hour for the roads that jam first. Tell your driver your flight number so pickups follow the real landing time. Our airport transfers track flights.
Fog, sandstorms and shamal winds
Early-morning fog appears mostly in winter and can slow flights and roads before it burns off. The shamal, a north-westerly wind, brings dust and haze, mainly from late spring to summer. The National Center of Meteorology issues UAE warnings at ncm.gov.ae. We did not source fog frequencies, so check the NCM before travel.
What to pack
- Winter: light layers and a jacket for desert and rooftop evenings.
- Spring and autumn: light clothing, sun cream, sunglasses.
- Summer: breathable fabrics, a hat, a refillable bottle, and something warm for air-conditioned malls. See the Dubai dress code guide.
How the weather affects transfers, tours and timing
Daytime heat affects tour timing more than transfers. Summer safaris leave earlier and winter evenings need warmer clothing. Cars are air conditioned, so your pickup is cool even in July.
For the rest of the city, see the Dubai travel guide.
Photos in this guide
Rain on a car windscreen at night on a Dubai road, with tail lights aheadDarvin.wilson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Standing floodwater on open ground in Dubai after heavy rainZizup / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Dense morning fog covering the ground with Dubai Marina towers rising above itYourusernamewillbepublic2 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Hazy morning light over the waterfront towers of Dubai Creek HarbourZiank-photography / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
