Residents across the UAE will experience the longest day of the year on Sunday as the summer solstice ushers in astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing nearly 14 hours of daylight and signalling the arrival of the region's most intense heat season.
The summer solstice will occur on June 21 at 12:25 pm UAE time, when the Sun reaches its northernmost position relative to Earth and shines directly above the Tropic of Cancer. The phenomenon results in the year's longest day and shortest night across countries north of the equator.
According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, daylight hours in the UAE will peak at about 13 hours and 50 minutes between June 18 and June 24, making it the brightest period of the year before daylight gradually begins to decrease ahead of the autumn equinox in September.
"The solstice marks the point when the Northern Hemisphere receives its maximum exposure to sunlight due to Earth's 23.5-degree axial tilt," Al Jarwan said.
At noon on Sunday, shadows across the Arabian Peninsula will be at their shortest of the year. Areas located directly along the Tropic of Cancer will witness the Sun almost overhead, producing little to no shadow.
Despite the extended daylight, the summer solstice does not coincide with the hottest days of the year. Meteorologists say temperatures continue to climb in the weeks following the solstice as land and sea surfaces steadily absorb and release heat.
Reflecting traditional Arab weather wisdom, Al Jarwan cited the saying: "There is no true heat until after the turning" — a reference to the period after the solstice when the Sun begins its apparent southward journey while temperatures continue to rise.
Temperature Expectations for Summer
The UAE's first half of summer, from June 21 to around August 10, is expected to see daytime temperatures ranging between 41°C and 43°C, while nights will remain warm at 27°C to 31°C. During this period, the country may also experience the seasonal "Barah" winds, which can stir dust and sand across desert regions.
Heatwaves could push temperatures above 50°C in some areas during prolonged hot spells, while hot, dry "Samoom" winds may occasionally intensify conditions.
The second half of summer, extending from mid-August until the autumnal equinox on September 23, is typically marked by rising humidity and the arrival of moist south-easterly "Kous" winds.
These conditions can trigger convective cloud formation over the Hajar Mountains, sometimes resulting in localised thunderstorms and rainfall in eastern parts of the country.
Understanding the Summer Solstice
The summer solstice, which can occur between June 20 and June 22 depending on the year, is caused by Earth's tilt rather than its distance from the Sun.
While astronomical summer officially begins with the solstice, meteorologists define summer differently, with the meteorological season running from June 1 to August 31.
For sun lovers, Sunday's solstice marks the peak of daylight. From Monday onwards, however, days will begin getting gradually shorter — a subtle reminder that the Sun's annual climb across the sky has reached its highest point.
