Clear / cloudy in Dubai — 39°C, wind 4 km/h

Dubai is experiencing extreme heat this morning, with temperatures hitting 39°C just before 6am local time — the sort of reading you'd normally expect at the peak of the afternoon, not at sunrise.

The mercury climbed to 39 degrees Celsius at around quarter to ten this morning UK time, under skies described as clear to partly cloudy. Winds are barely stirring at just 4 kilometres per hour, offering no relief from the oppressive warmth. There's been no rain, which comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with August in the Gulf.

What 39°C actually feels like

For those of us more accustomed to a British summer, 39 degrees is brutally hot — well above normal body temperature. It's the kind of heat where stepping outside feels like opening an oven door, where metal surfaces become too hot to touch, and where even the lightest clothing feels like too much. At this temperature, especially with minimal wind, the body struggles to cool itself through sweating alone.

The combination of extreme heat and still air makes conditions particularly challenging for anyone working outdoors or without air conditioning. Authorities in the UAE routinely issue warnings during such conditions, advising people to stay hydrated, remain indoors during peak hours, and check on vulnerable neighbours.

Summer in the Emirates

August is typically one of the hottest months in Dubai, when temperatures regularly soar into the high thirties and low forties. The city's modern infrastructure is built around this reality, with air-conditioned metro stations, shopping centres, and covered walkways helping residents and visitors cope with the relentless heat.

Still, experiencing 39 degrees before breakfast is notable even by Dubai standards, and serves as a reminder of just how extreme the climate can be in this part of the world.

The heat is expected to continue, as is typical for this time of year in the UAE.

Have you experienced extreme heat like this, either in Dubai or elsewhere? Do you have family or friends living in the Emirates? We'd love to hear how people cope when the thermometer climbs this high.