The exact last day of summer and the extreme temperatures have been revealed. According to Dubai’s astronomical calendar, summer will end at 4.05 am UAE time on September 23 2026.
Northern Hemisphere autumn begins when the Sun crosses Earth’s equatorial plane. NASA records the equinox at 00.05 UTC. Hot and humid conditions will continue after the calendar boundary.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, identifies late August as the start of gradual thermal easing. Suhail’s seasonal appearance signals a retreat in peak heat.
Meteorologists classify September as autumn’s first month. Astronomers retain September 23 2026, as the formal seasonal boundary.
NASA clarifies that equinoxes do not produce exactly equal daylight and darkness. Atmospheric refraction and the Sun’s visible disc add several daylight minutes.
Dubai transport and operating schedules remain tied to local temperature, humidity, sunrise and visibility conditions.
NCM’s July 19 summer bulletin recorded coastal maximum temperatures between 39°C and 45°C. Inland readings ranged from 42°C to 48°C. Coastal relative humidity reached 70 to 90 per cent.
Mountain areas registered maximum temperatures between 33°C and 38°C. Dubai’s coastal location exposes residents and operators to the bulletin’s higher humidity range.
NCM forecasts winds of 10 to 25 kilometres per hour through July 23 2026. Gusts reach 40 kilometres per hour on July 21 and July 22.
Blowing dust will reduce visibility across exposed areas. Arabian Gulf seas range from slight to moderate, with rougher western conditions forecast on July 21.
Al Qayz, the UAE’s hottest annual period of the summer, starts easing during August’s final third, Al Jarwan notes. Suhail traditionally appears around August 24.
Residents should expect gradual temperature moderation rather than an abrupt reduction. September retains high daytime readings while the Indian seasonal low-pressure system weakens.
Higher humidity and Kous winds support towering clouds over the Hajar Mountains from August 11 2026. Localised Al Rawayeh thunderstorms affect eastern and inland districts.
Convective cloud formation continues through September, with occasional rainfall extending beyond mountainous areas.
Thermal low-pressure systems extending from central Arabia continue generating active winds, dust and reduced visibility. South easterly flows dominate overnight and during morning hours.
Northwesterly sea breezes develop during afternoons and evenings. Operators face changing wind direction across each daily cycle.
September humidity increases compared with August, particularly during the month’s second half. Fog and mist formation become more frequent across scattered coastal and inland locations.
Road freight, delivery fleets and early shift construction teams face lower visibility where dense moisture develops.
NCM’s current outlook already forecasts humid nights and mornings across coastal and inland districts. July 22, summer temperatures come down slightly alongside winds reaching 40 kilometres per hour. Dust exposure remains part of the short-term operating environment.
Residents continue shifting outdoor activity towards early mornings and evenings. Air-conditioned retail, entertainment and fitness venues absorb more daytime demand during peak heat.
Outdoor destinations gain longer usable periods as temperatures gradually retreat from late August. September still carries sustained heat and elevated coastal humidity.
MoHRE’s Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy runs from June 15 to September 15 every year. UAE employers must suspend direct sun and open area work from 12.30 pm to 3 pm.
MoHRE introduced the 2026 policy for its 22nd consecutive year. September 15 2026, arrives eight days before astronomical summer ends.
Employers must provide shaded rest areas, cooling equipment, drinking water and first aid supplies. Technical exemptions cover urgent asphalt work, concrete pouring, emergency repairs and authorised projects. Delivery operators receive access to air-conditioned rest stations across the UAE.
MoHRE’s legal restriction ends before Dubai’s seasonal heat fully retreats. NCM bulletins continue quantifying temperature, humidity, wind and visibility after September 15 2026.
September 23 2026, defines the astronomical transition. Measurable cooling follows a gradual atmospheric cycle rather than a single calendar date.
