The process of monitoring climatic parameters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) started as early as 1934, with the establishment of a Meteorological station at the Royal Airforce Station in the Emirate of Sharjah. But it was during the period 1965 - 1968 a Meteorological network was established in the Country, as part of the first Water Resources Survey carried out by the Trucial States' Council, which was the governing authority then. The network was relatively small and it deployed the basic equipment for purpose it was intended for. After independence, the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water took over the management of the network and with the expansion of the scope of the Ministry's services, the need for more and more contemporary equipment for Meteorological monitoring increased. Therefore the network was improved significantly in both quality and quantity, and is being maintained according to the standards formulated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The Ministry, currently, operates the largest single Meteorological network in the country, which comprises 12 meteorology stations, and 31 stations for collecting rainfall data. The above stations are distributed over a vast area, covering mountain areas, major catchment areas, main agricultural regions, research stations, graval plains and desert areas. These stations are segregated according to the agricultural regions as follows:

Rainfall stations table

These stations perform the task of observing the essential climatological parameters, such as temperature, relative humidity, evaporation, pan water temperature, wind speed and rainfall. Additional instruments were added in selected stations to measure soil temperatures at different depths and the duration of sun shine. We also cooperate in the various agricultural research and experimental projects providing them with expertise and instruments in the field meteorology .

At present, there a gradual move towards using digital recording equipment, which is deemed to replace conventional equipment present in Meteorological Stations now. Conversion of conventional rainfall recording stations into digital recording is underway, 18 of them already converted into digital recording thus far. The completion of the transfer to digital recording is expected to be completed shortly. In addition, the conversion of the Meteorological network into digital recording is anticipated within the coming two years, one pilot station having been established in Dhaid .

The Meteorology section collects information on the Meteorology from other state run organizations, and produces a monthly report on the summary of climatic conditions prevailed in the country every month, which is used as a reference for all parties inside, and outside the Ministry. The section also provides detailed data as and when asked for. In addition, the section periodically publishes the collected data shedding light on the climatic conditions of the country, establishing mean values and normals for all Climatological parameters.

The Climate

The United Arab Emirates lies within the area of the hot desert climate, its climate is characterized by two main seasons: a long and dry summer, with temperatures rising to about 48 deg. centigrade between May and September; and a short, moderate winter between December and March, where temperatures rarely drop below 6 deg. centigrade. January is considered the coolest month in the year, while July is the the hotest month. The yearly mean temperature is estimated at 27 deg. centigrade (Often the maximum temperature reaches 50°C in the southern desert in the summer, and in winter the minimum temperature drops to around 2°C). Rainfall fluctuates widely from year to year, and from one area to another. It is noticeable that the mountainous area receives the highest rainfall, followed by the eastern region, and the gravel plain. The amount of rainfall declines as we move towards the desert and western coast areas. The annual average rainfall is recorded at 110.2 mm, and highest daily rainfall was recorded in Al Huwailat on 17/2/1988, when it reached 205 mm. Most of the rain falls in winter, as a result of the atmospheric depression accompanied with north westerly winds coming from the Mediterranean or by orographic effects. Some of the rain events in the country are accompanied by thunder and lightning, and the fall may continue for one and at times upto three days. Summer rain is observed mainly in mountain areas specially in the eastern region, and the south eastern region (AL Ain).

Relative humidity is high in the coastal areas, where its average reaches 60%, this rate however declines sharply as we move inland from the coastline, where its annual average reaches 45%, the relative humidity is least in the month of May, and increases during winter months.

Wind speed is generally high, its average is 6 km/hr, at 2m above ground level. As for evaporation, it is very high, with a daily average of around 8mm per day.

Average Annual Rainfall Summery for U.A.E from 1934 to 1965

DATA FROM 1934 TO 1965 IS LIMITED TO ONE STATION IN SHARJAH ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION

Average Annual Rainfall Summery for U.A.E from 1966 to 2001