UAE Registers Hottest May Temperature Since 2003, Reaching a Scorching 50.4°C

The United Arab Emirates has recorded its highest temperature for the month of May since weather monitoring began in 2003, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). On the afternoon of May 31, temperatures soared to an extreme 50.4°C (122.7°F) in Al Shawamekh, Abu Dhabi, at 2:30 PM local time.

“This is the highest temperature we’ve ever documented in May,” the NCM confirmed in a statement to AFP.

This new record surpasses the previous May high of 50.2°C, set in 2009. The UAE, known for its intense summer heat, has seen unseasonably high temperatures even before the official onset of summer.

Just last month, the nation experienced its hottest April on record, with an average daily high of 42.6°C—surpassing the previous April record of 42.2°C set in 2017.

In response to the escalating heat, the NCM has urged residents to take precautions by avoiding direct sunlight, staying hydrated, wearing suitable clothing, and applying sunscreen.

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