Dubai is a year-round destination, but the weather here ranges from pleasant warmth in winter to extreme heat in summer. The time of year affects how comfortable your walks are, the prices, and how pleasant it is to swim. In this guide is Dubai’s weather month by month with air and water temperatures, so you can choose the perfect time for your trip. If you need a short answer on “when to go”, see the guide when it’s best to go to Dubai.
Dubai’s Climate in a Nutshell
Dubai lies in a zone of tropical desert climate. That means: plenty of sun all year round, little rain and a sharp division into two seasons:
- The warm season (November–March) — comfortable weather, the high tourist season.
- The hot season (April–October) — from warm to extreme heat, peaking in July–August.
The sea is warm almost always, and rain is a rarity.
Month-by-Month Weather Table
| Month | Air (day) | Water | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24–26 °C | ~22 °C | Excellent |
| February | 25–27 °C | ~22 °C | Excellent |
| March | 28–30 °C | ~24 °C | Excellent |
| April | 32–35 °C | ~26 °C | Good |
| May | 37–40 °C | ~29 °C | Hot |
| June | 40–43 °C | ~31 °C | Very hot |
| July | 42–45 °C | ~33 °C | Scorching |
| August | 42–45 °C | ~33 °C | Scorching |
| September | 40–42 °C | ~32 °C | Very hot |
| October | 35–38 °C | ~30 °C | Hot |
| November | 30–32 °C | ~28 °C | Excellent |
| December | 26–28 °C | ~24 °C | Excellent |
The values are averages — on individual days it can be hotter or cooler.
High Season: November–March
The best time for a trip. During the day 24–30 °C, a pleasant coolness in the evening, low humidity. Ideal for the beach, walks along the promenades and viewpoints, excursions and a desert safari. The water at 22–26 °C is bracing, but comfortable for swimming.
The downsides — this is the peak of the season: higher prices for hotels and more tourists, especially over the New Year holidays. Factor this into your trip budget.
Shoulder Season: April and October
April and October are transitional months. It is already, or still, hot (32–38 °C), but quite bearable, and the water is especially warm. Prices are a touch lower than the peak season and there are fewer tourists. A good compromise if it matters to save money while avoiding the very worst of the heat.
Hot Season: May–September
From May to September Dubai is very hot: 40–45 °C during the day, and in July–August, with high humidity, it is hard to bear. Walking around during the day is almost impossible — it is only comfortable early in the morning, in the evening, by the water or in air-conditioned spaces.
But there are upsides to this too:
- the lowest prices on hotels and flights;
- fewer tourists;
- excellent weather for the beach and pool early in the morning and in the evening;
- the whole “indoor” Dubai running at full tilt — shopping malls, water parks, museums, activities with children.
In summer Dubai lives by the principle of “outdoors only in the morning and evening, the day in the cool”. If you are ready for this rhythm, you can save money and still have a good holiday.
Rain and Dust
There is little precipitation in Dubai, and it falls mainly in December–March — short downpours, after which the sun comes out again. Occasionally there are sand and dust winds (more often in spring), when the air turns hazy. This is a temporary phenomenon, but people sensitive to dust should bear it in mind.
The sea in Dubai is warm all year round, but it is the air that decides everything: November–March gives ideal warmth and the high season, April and October are a warm compromise, May–September is scorching but has the lowest prices. Choose the month to suit your priority — comfort or savings — and the guide when it’s best to go to Dubai will help you settle on the exact dates.
