UAE To Experience Earliest Summer Solstice Since 1796 On June 20-22

The UAE will witness an earlier summer solstice this year, occurring on June 20th at 20:51 UTC. This marks the earliest solstice since 1796 for many countries worldwide. The event will bring the longest day of the year for the UAE, with daylight hours extending to 13 hours and 48 minutes. Similar variations in solstice timing can be expected in future leap years.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Board Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences, explained that during the summer solstice, the sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, its northernmost point. In areas directly below the sun, such as the southern regions of the UAE, there will be no shadow at noon.

Shadows at noontime will also be shorter across the Arabian Peninsula, with the shortest shadow occurring in the entire Northern Hemisphere. Al Jarwan added that temperatures are expected to range between 41 and 43 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 and 29 degrees Celsius at night, with generally dry conditions and active winds.

The first half of summer, running from June 21 to August 10, is expected to feature these temperature ranges and conditions. The second half of summer, spanning from August 11 to the autumnal equinox on September 23, is characterised by an influx of high humidity and persistent high temperatures.

During this period, moist Kos winds become active, invigorating the formation of cumulonimbus clouds over mountainous regions and their surroundings. This leads to thunderstorms, adding a dynamic element to the weather patterns in these areas.

Temperature and Weather Data

This year's early summer solstice offers a unique opportunity for astronomical observation and understanding weather patterns in the UAE. The detailed insights provided by experts like Ibrahim Al Jarwan help residents prepare for seasonal changes effectively.

With inputs from WAM