UAE Feels First Autumn Chill as Temperatures Hit 18.6°C

The UAE is beginning to feel the first signs of its cooler season, with temperatures falling below 20°C in parts of the country as autumn settles in.

The National Centre of Meteorology recorded the UAE's lowest temperature on September 28 at 18.6°C in Raknah, in the Al Ain region, at around 6am. The reading marks a further decline from the 18.8°C recorded at the same location on September 18.

The change comes shortly after the autumnal equinox on September 23, which marked the astronomical end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Weather conditions in the UAE, however, do not shift overnight with the equinox, and temperatures are expected to remain high across much of the country for some time.

The latest forecast illustrates that contrast. The National Centre of Meteorology expects temperatures across the UAE to remain between roughly 25°C and 43°C on September 29, with highs of about 39°C in Abu Dhabi and 38°C in Dubai. Temperatures are expected to begin easing more noticeably from Wednesday, although humidity, fog and mist remain possible in some areas.

Raknah, where the latest low was recorded, is among the locations that regularly experience some of the UAE's lowest temperatures. Its inland position in the Al Ain area means nighttime and early-morning temperatures can fall considerably below readings recorded along the warmer coastal areas. The location has previously recorded substantially colder conditions during the winter months.

The gradual cooling is expected to become more noticeable as autumn progresses. Forecast seasonal averages indicate that temperatures around early November could fall to highs of about 31°C and nighttime lows around 18°C. Toward the end of autumn, temperatures could fall further, with daytime highs around 25°C and lows approaching 13°C.

The seasonal transition also brings a greater likelihood of one of the UAE's most familiar weather features: early-morning fog. Warm seas, increasing humidity and cooler overnight temperatures can create conditions favourable for fog, particularly during the first part of autumn. That can mean reduced visibility for motorists and potentially more challenging conditions on some roads during the early hours.

There could also be more rainfall in the months ahead. Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist at the National Centre of Meteorology, told Khaleej Times that some weather models indicate above-average rainfall between October and January, while stressing that the exact amount cannot be predicted with certainty.

The UAE's weather outlook is also being watched against the backdrop of a strong El Niño climate pattern. The National Centre of Meteorology has indicated that the phenomenon is expected to persist into early 2027 and could influence temperature and rainfall patterns, although the presence of El Niño alone does not determine exactly how much rain or how extreme conditions will be in the UAE.

For residents and visitors, the 18.6°C reading is less a signal that winter has arrived than an early marker of the country's gradual seasonal transition. Daytime heat will remain a feature of UAE life for weeks, but cooler dawns, increasing fog and eventually more comfortable evenings will become increasingly common. The shift is particularly significant for outdoor activities, tourism and travel, as the months ahead traditionally bring a more favourable climate for spending time outdoors across the Emirates.

The 18.6°C reading in Raknah therefore offers a small but visible indication of a much larger seasonal change. The UAE is moving away from the extreme heat of summer, but the transition will be gradual rather than sudden. For now, residents can expect a country of contrasts, cool mornings in inland areas alongside temperatures approaching the 40s elsewhere, before the more familiar cooler UAE weather takes hold later in the autumn.