Severe heatwave in UAE with temperatures approaching record levels after the hottest spring on record.
The scorching summer of 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen temperatures near or above 51°C, breaking records or nearing record highs for August. This extreme heat, primarily caused by a combination of local meteorological factors and the broader effects of global warming, has brought about profound effects on public health, energy systems, infrastructure, and the environment.
The UAE's construction and agricultural industries, where outdoor workers toil under the relentless sun, have been particularly hard-hit. Workers face constant difficulties due to the soaring temperatures, with employers urged to offer hydration and shaded breaks. However, enforcement remains uneven, leaving many workers exposed to the hazards of the high temperatures.
The prolonged heat in the UAE poses a significant risk to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and young children. Heatstroke and other serious health problems are potential outcomes for these groups due to the prolonged heat. Public awareness efforts promote heat safety, but these vulnerable groups remain at serious risk for heatstroke and other serious health problems.
Experts attribute the extreme heat to a strong subtropical heat dome, clear skies, low humidity, and stagnant atmospheric conditions that trap intense heat near the surface. This heatwave follows the UAE’s hottest spring on record and fits a global pattern of rising temperatures linked to climate change, including global warming exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Authorities have issued heat and dust warnings (Yellow Dust Alerts), advising residents to stay indoors during peak hours, stay hydrated, and limit outdoor exposure. However, these safety measures have limited reach for outdoor laborers in construction and agriculture who must work continuously in extreme heat.
The effects of the heatwave are far-reaching. In addition to public health risks, higher energy demand due to air conditioning use strains power grids, while environmental impacts include accelerated water evaporation, worsening droughts, and stress on native plants and wildlife. Infrastructural challenges, such as heat-related damage to roads and airports, also arise.
The nation's electrical grids are under stress due to residents' heavy reliance on air cooling, which raises energy needs. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hotspots for climate impacts due to their urban heat islands and limited vegetation, are particularly affected.
In response, experts emphasize the need for regional adaptation and mitigation strategies to manage escalating heat extremes exacerbated by global warming. Adaptive measures, such as better labor rights and energy-efficient cooling, are desperately needed to preserve public health as the UAE prepares for a hotter-than-normal summer in 2025.
Meanwhile, global warming continues to be the culprit behind the record-breaking heat in the UAE. Yasir Shahad, an Australian visitor, has observed a stark contrast between the comfort of air-conditioned areas and the challenging working conditions faced by outdoor workers in the UAE.
Elsewhere, Meghalaya is facing a 56% rainfall deficit amid the monsoon shift, a separate issue not directly related to the UAE but providing context as it is mentioned in the article.
Projections indicate above-average temperatures for the remainder of the UAE summer, with August temperatures predicted to be 0.25°C to 0.5°C warmer than usual. As the world grapples with the effects of global warming, the UAE serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to combat this global crisis.
References:
[1] National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) (2025). UAE Heatwave Advisory. Retrieved from NCM website
[2] Al Jazeera (2025). UAE Faces Record-Breaking Heatwave. Retrieved from Al Jazeera
[3] The Guardian (2025). UAE Heatwave: Record Temperatures and Public Health Risks. Retrieved from The Guardian
[4] BBC News (2025). UAE Heatwave: What Causes It and What Are the Risks? Retrieved from BBC News
[5] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2021). Global Warming of 1.5°C. Retrieved from IPCC
- In response to the record-breaking heatwave, authorities have urged employers to provide hydration and shaded breaks for workers in the construction and agricultural industries, but enforcement remains uneven.
- Experts attribute the extreme heat to a combination of local meteorological factors and the broader effects of global warming, which has exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- As temperatures rise, the UAE faces challenges not only in public health and infrastructure but also in energy systems, with the nation's electrical grids under stress due to residents' heavy reliance on air cooling.
- Projections indicate above-average temperatures for the remainder of the UAE summer, highlighting the need for regional adaptation and mitigation strategies to manage escalating heat extremes.
- The UAE serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to combat global warming, as global warming continues to be the culprit behind the record-breaking heat. The environmental science community emphasizes sustainable development, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting, and the investigation of therapies and treatments for climate change-related health issues as key components of a comprehensive solution.
