Wednesday, May 17, 2006
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
Al Ain: The temperature could shoot up to 50C and beyond in the coming days as June, July and August are usually the hottest months of the year in the UAE and neighbouring countries.
The temperature in cities such as Al Ain, Liwa and Abu Dhabi has already touched 43C earlier this month ushering in the hot season.
A senior official at the Abu Dhabi-based UAE Meteorological Authority said the hot weather would not be "unusual" as the mercury dips and rises between 42 to 49C, particularly in Al Ain and other desert cities. Conditions in coastal cities are characterised by high humidity that rises to 90 per cent at times.
"The temperature is actually three to four degrees higher than reported in our bulletins," said the official, adding this difference wa caused by the specific temperature measuring apparatus.
The weatherman said the temperature would also dip slightly on some days with the change of wind direction from the southeast to the northwest
"We are expecting a windy spell from Friday that will continue until May 21," he said.
Conditions are expected to be mostly dry until the pre-winter months, said the official.
"It's a desert country located in the world's hottest region," said the official.
He added people were aware of the fact that summer was always tough with heat cyclones, dust storms, long dry spells, sizzling sun and problems associated with these, such as health risks.
According to yesterday's forecast, the weather will be hazy early today and be hot in general. There is also a chances of dust winds in some areas with partly cloudy conditions at times over the next 48 hours.
The maximum temperature yesterday was recorded in Liwa at 42C followed by 41 in Al Ain and 40 in Ras Al Khaimah.
Holiday trips: Drivers 'must make sure cars are safe'
Police have called on motorists planning to travel overland this summer to get their vehicles checked to ensure they are safe.
Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai police's Traffic Department, said: "Police have the right to stop any vehicle that they see is not fit to be on the road and fine the motorist."
He said the obligatory annual check-up was aimed at protecting lives.
"There are some violations the motorist commits without considering how dangerous they are, such as overloading, driving in the dark without using lights and not wearing seat belts."
Brigadier Eisa Aman Obaid, Deputy Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department said motorists should check essential items such as oil, and children should not sit in the front seat or near doors.
-Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
TEMPERATURECityTemp Temp Humidity HumidityMaxMinMaxMinLiwa42c26c60%15%Al Ain412370%20%RAK402685%30%UAQ382580%30%Abu Dhabi382370%20%Sharjah382380%30%Ajman382475%25%Dubai362475%25%Fujairah372870%25%Source: UAE Met Authority
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
