The United Arab Emirates faced a blistering heatwave on Friday, with temperatures peaking at a staggering 50.4°C (122.7°F) in Al Shawamekh, Abu Dhabi, marking the highest May temperature since official records began in 2003.
Residents reported intense discomfort as high humidity levels, reaching up to 80%, compounded the already sweltering conditions. Many attending Friday prayers felt faint, with some forced to perform rituals outside in the brutal sun. One resident shared, “I was drenched in sweat and felt like I would pass out — it was unbearable.”
This new record surpasses the previous high of 50.2°C recorded in May 2009. The UAE has been experiencing increasingly harsh temperatures in recent years, including April 2025, which set its own record with an average daily high of 42.6°C, topping the previous April high of 42.2°C in 2017.
Authorities urged citizens to take protective measures such as staying indoors during peak heat, drinking plenty of water, dressing lightly, and using sunscreen.
Reports from across Abu Dhabi and Dubai highlighted the physical toll on residents. One balloon operator in Dubai described the conditions as “suffocating,” noting that the humidity made it feel like “there was no oxygen in the air.” Another witness said he saw someone “swaying side to side” in the heat before collapsing.
Experts link such extreme weather to climate change, warning that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer, and more intense — especially in the Middle East, which is heating up at nearly twice the global average. A 2024 report from the International Labour Organization warned that over 83% of outdoor workers in the region face dangerous heat exposure on the job.
The rising temperatures raise urgent concerns about water scarcity, food insecurity, and health risks, especially as summer approaches in one of the world’s hottest regions.
