‘It feels like 62°C’: Humidity intensifies heatwave in Dubai, Kuwait

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Kuwait and Dubai are experiencing extreme heat, with a summer heatwave combined with humidity levels exceeding 80 per cent.

In June, Kuwait recorded the world’s third-highest temperature, hitting 49.3°C at the country’s International Airport. Last week, temperatures soared to 51°C, according to the Kuwait Meteorological Department. This figure came close to the country’s record of 54°C in 2016.

Dubai is also facing a severe heatwave. Official temperatures in recent days have hovered around the 43°C mark, but the ‘feels like’ temperature has reached 62°C, according to US-based weather services.

The UK Met Office explains that the ‘feels like’ temperature considers factors such as expected air temperature, relative humidity, and wind strength at around 5 feet off the ground.

In recent years, the ‘feels like’ measure has become a standard feature on numerous weather apps, including Apple’s in-built weather app for iOS devices.

On Saturday, the highest temperature in the UAE was 48.1°C in Um Azimul, Al Ain, according to the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology. Weather data on Apple devices predict that humidity levels in Dubai will exceed 80 per cent for much of the coming week, particularly in the evenings.

#أعلى_درجة_حرارة سجلت على الدولة هذا اليوم 48.1 درجة مئوية في أم الزمول (العين) الساعة 14:00 بالتوقيت المحلي لدولة الإمارات.#The_highest_temperature recorded over the country today is 48.1 °C in Um Azimul (Al Ain) at 14:00 UAE Local time. pic.twitter.com/zlXRXF90n2

— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) July 20, 2024

Dubai and Kuwait’s geography, near the Tropic of Cancer and the Arabian Gulf, leads to inevitably high temperatures and elevated humidity, with average maximum temperatures for this time of year being above 40°C.