Heat in the UAE, honestly: 5 months at 40–50 degrees

The UAE is one of the most attractive destinations for relocation: zero personal income tax and developed infrastructure. But there is a factor you cannot ignore: from May to September, air temperatures hold steady at 40–50 degrees with humidity of 80–95%. This article covers temperatures by month, the real consequences of the heat for your budget and health, and how residents adapt to the climate.

Dubai temperatures by month

The data below are approximate average highs for Dubai (based on long-term climate summaries; exact values vary from year to year). Figures in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other coastal emirates are comparable. Inland areas (Al Ain, Fujairah) can be even hotter, but the humidity is lower.

The comfortable season is October to April (7 months). The hard season is May to September (5 months). This is not a couple of weeks when "it gets hot sometimes": it is almost half a year when outdoor activity is limited to early mornings and late evenings.

It is important to understand that these figures are average highs: the temperature in the shade measured at a weather station. In direct sun, in an asphalt car park or near glass facades, it feels much higher. In summer, Dubai asphalt heats up to 60–70 degrees, so you cannot walk on it in thin shoes.

Humidity: why 42 in Dubai is worse than 42 in Tashkent

The main problem is not the temperature itself but its combination with humidity. In the coastal emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah), summer humidity reaches 80–95%. At 42 degrees and 90% humidity, the body cannot cool itself by sweating, because sweat does not evaporate.

In dry regions (central Saudi Arabia, Tashkent, Tehran), the same 42 degrees are much easier to bear because the humidity is 15–30%.

The practical effect: you step out of an air-conditioned building and your glasses instantly fog up. Your phone camera is covered with condensation within seconds. Your clothes are soaked with sweat in 2–3 minutes. This is not an exaggeration; it is everyday reality from June to September.

The inland emirates (Al Ain) show the opposite picture: the temperature may be higher (up to 48–50 degrees), but the humidity is 40–60%, and the heat feels different: dry and bearable in the shade. The coast (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah) combines heat and humidity, which subjectively feels harder.

There's not enough air in summer. Pretty much like winter in Moscow when you're stuck within four walls

— from Russian-speaking residents' chats, 2026

This is one of the most accurate descriptions from Russian-speaking chats (according to the chats, January–July 2026): in summer, life in the UAE moves into air-conditioned spaces, just as in northern latitudes life moves into heated flats in winter. The difference is that a Moscow winter lasts 5–6 months and a Dubai summer 5. In terms of restricted movement, the seasons are comparable.

The comfortable season: October–April

From October to April, the UAE is one of the best places to live in terms of climate:

• Temperatures of 24–33 degrees
• Humidity of 50–65%
• You can walk, exercise outdoors and go to the beach
• Evenings in January–February can be cool (18–20 degrees): you will need a light jacket

This is the season that attracts "winterers" and those who live with two bases. Many Russian-speaking residents spend October–April in the UAE and leave for the summer to Russia, Georgia, Turkey or Europe.

December and January bring the main events in Dubai: the Dubai Shopping Festival, Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi and dozens of exhibitions and conferences. This is the peak season for both tourism and business. Short-term rentals cost 30–50% more during this period.

Summer (May–September): how residents cope

Life indoors

In summer the UAE turns into a "city of air conditioners". All of life happens indoors: home, office, mall, car. The transition between them is at most 30–60 seconds outdoors, door to door.

What works:

• Malls effectively replace parks and promenades. Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Yas Mall: air-conditioned, with restaurants and entertainment
• Indoor gyms and pools: outdoor pools heat up to 35–38 degrees in summer, which is not refreshing
• Early morning walks: before 7:00–7:30 you can still go out (30–33 degrees). After 8:00 it is already hard
• Evening outings: after 20:00 the temperature drops to 34–36 degrees. That is not cool, but walking becomes possible. Many runners and cyclists train at this time

An important point: air conditioning in the UAE is not a luxury but basic infrastructure. All public spaces, including bus stops and passages between metro stations, are air-conditioned. Getting around the city without going outdoors is realistic if the route goes through the metro and malls.

A car in the sun: 65–70 degrees inside

A car left in the sun without air conditioning heats up inside to 65–70 degrees. A leather steering wheel and metal parts get hot enough to burn. Residents use sunshades, window tinting and remote start of the air conditioning before getting in.

Leaving children or animals in a car even "for a minute" is deadly.

Another practical point: fuel in the tank expands in the sun, so it is better to fill up in the evening or early morning. Parking in the shade or in a covered car park is not a matter of convenience but a necessity. Underground parking at malls and residential complexes is standard.

Children and heat

For families with children, summer is an especially hard period:

• Outdoor playgrounds are unusable from May to September
• Walks are possible only early in the morning (before 7:30) or late in the evening (after 20:00)
• Schools usually close for the summer holidays (roughly from late June to late August; the dates depend on the school calendar), and many families leave
• Children's entertainment is indoors: water parks, play areas in malls, indoor parks

This is one reason why families with children more often choose to "winter" in the UAE (October–April) and return to a country with a milder climate for the summer.

On the other hand, the winter season in the UAE is excellent for children. Parks, beaches, outdoor pools and cycle paths are all available from October to April. Dubai has more educational and entertainment options for children than most cities in the world, from the ski slope at Mall of the Emirates to the KidZania and OliOli learning centres.

Health and heat: what to watch

Heatstroke is a real risk for those who underestimate the local climate. The main safety rules in summer:

• Carry water: at least 0.5 litres whenever you go out
• A hat and SPF 50+ sunscreen are a must from May to September
• Do not exercise outdoors in the hottest hours: even workers in the open sun have a mandatory break from 12:30 to 15:00 from 15 June to 15 September (Midday Break, MOHRE; according to Gulf News, 2026)
• At the first signs of heatstroke (nausea, dizziness, sweating stops), go into an air-conditioned room immediately

Chronic respiratory conditions can flare up because of the combination of heat, humidity and sandstorms (shamal), which occur regularly in summer.

The cost of air conditioning: DEWA and utilities

DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) is the single supplier of electricity and water in Dubai. Other emirates have their own providers (SEWA in Sharjah, FEWA in the northern emirates), but the principle is the same.

In summer, the air conditioning runs 24/7. It is the main utility expense.

According to Russian-speaking expat chats, January–July 2026, a family's DEWA bill in summer can reach AED 1,000 a month (about USD 270). It is a noticeable expense but not critical compared with rent (AED 5,000–12,000 a month). More on living costs in the article Cost of living in the UAE.

Tip: when moving into a flat, check how energy-efficient the air conditioning is. Old split systems use 1.5–2 times more power than modern inverter units. Also pay attention to the floor: upper floors heat up more, and the air conditioning runs at full power most of the day.

In residents' experience, DEWA takes a refundable deposit at connection, about AED 2,000 for a flat and AED 4,000 for a villa; it is returned on disconnection (minus unpaid bills). According to the same sources, connection takes 1–2 working days through the DEWA app or website.

The "summer exodus": where residents go

Russian-speaking chats have hundreds of "where do you spend the summer?" discussions. Leaving en masse for the summer is not a myth but an established pattern. Some residents take leave, others work remotely from another country.

Popular destinations:

• Russia: home to family, especially families with children
• Georgia: affordable prices and a mild climate
• Turkey: close, with familiar infrastructure
• Thailand, Bali: for those who work remotely
• Europe: if you have a Schengen visa or residence in another country

Leaving for the summer does not mean losing your residence visa. A residence visa is cancelled only if you are outside the UAE for more than 180 consecutive days (according to u.ae), so a summer away does not put the visa at risk. The Golden Visa lets you stay outside the UAE for longer than six months (according to u.ae).

Financially, leaving for the summer can pay off. Landlords sometimes agree to a lower rate for the summer months if the flat is paid for a year. Letting your flat on Airbnb while you are away is theoretically possible, but in residents' experience it requires the landlord's permission and a holiday home licence from DET (Department of Economy and Tourism).

Everyone is trying to find some paradise that doesn't exist. You always have to put up with something

— from Russian-speaking residents' chats, 2026

This quote from a chat describes the attitude of experienced residents well. The heat is the price paid for the tax-free regime, safety and infrastructure. The question is whether you are ready for it.

When is the best time to move

The best time to move to the UAE is October–November:

• The temperature is already comfortable (26–31 degrees)
• You can calmly look around, choose an area and find a home
• There are 6–7 months to adapt before the next summer
• The business season starts in September, making it easier to look for work and contacts

Moving in June–August is the worst option. You arrive in scorching heat and cannot properly see the city, the area or the flat. Even a simple errand (SIM card, DEWA, Ejari) becomes an ordeal.

If you have to move in summer for objective reasons (a contract, family circumstances), our advice is to close all practical matters in the first 2–3 days while you still have energy for bureaucracy. Make a list in advance: SIM card, DEWA account, Ejari registration, Emirates ID. All of these require you to be there in person and travel around the city.

A detailed checklist of first steps after the move is in the guide Moving to the UAE 2026. If you are planning a visa and residence, see the UAE residence page with a description of the routes.

Moving to the UAE is a decision that touches dozens of questions, from the visa to school and from a bank account to health insurance. If you would like to work through all the stages with specialists on the ground, request a Parallax consultation.