If you have stepped outside in the UAE recently and felt like the heat is on another level, you are not imagining it. The UAE has officially entered Al Qaith, the harshest season of the year. This is the period when temperatures regularly climb above 50°C in some parts of the country. For Emiratis, Al Qaith is not just a weather event — it carries centuries of history, tradition, and cultural meaning.
What Is Al Qaith?
Al Qaith is the name given to the peak summer season in the UAE and across the Arabian Peninsula. Long before calendars and weather apps, people in this region tracked the seasons using stars. The Emirates Astronomy Society says Al Qaith is guided by the movement of specific stars on the eastern horizon at dawn. The harshest part of the season is called “Jamrat Al Qaith,” which translates to “the ember of the heat.” It begins on July 3, when the first stars of the Gemini constellation rise at dawn. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, explains that this marks the start of the most brutal days of summer, bringing scorching hot desert winds known locally as “somoom.” These dry winds can push temperatures beyond 50°C in inland areas. If you rely on your FAB account for managing expenses during this season, it helps to stay on top of your finances — learn how to do a quick FAB Balance Check online without visiting a branch.
How Al Qaith Is Tracked by the Stars
The season follows a clear timeline based on the rising of specific stars. Each star marks the arrival of a new phase of the heat. Here is how the season unfolds, star by star:
- July 3 — Al Haq’ah rises: Jamrat Al Qaith begins, the hottest stretch starts
- July 16 — Al Han’ah rises: intense heat continues
- July 29 — Al Mirzam rises: the season begins to wind down slowly
- August 11 — Al Qaith ends and gives way to “Waqat Suhail,” a humid final stretch of summer
This star-based tracking system was used by Emirati farmers, fishermen, and desert travellers for generations. It helped them plan their harvests, travels, and daily routines around the most extreme periods of heat.
Al Qaith and the Date Palm Harvest
One of the most important parts of Al Qaith is its connection to dates. The same intense heat that makes the season so difficult is also what ripens date palms across the UAE. The arrival of Jamrat Al Qaith is marked by “Tabashir Al Rutab,” meaning the ripening of the first dates of the season. Community celebrations and harvesting events take place across the country, from Al Hamriyah to farms in Al Ain and the Al Dhafra region, which is the UAE’s main date-growing heartland. Early varieties such as Al Naghal and Al Khatri appear in June. They are followed by Al Khnizi, Al Khalas and Al Jabri during the heart of the season. The harvest closes in August with Al Khasab and Al Hilali. The date palm is widely known as the UAE’s “mother tree.” It is valued not just for its fruit but also for its fronds, which are used to weave mats, baskets, and traditional shelter. The late UAE Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was known for his deep love of the date palm and championed its cultivation across the country. That legacy lives on in farms throughout the UAE today. If you are an Etisalat user and want to make sure your phone stays active as you follow updates like these, it is easy to learn How to Check Balance in Etisalat and top up before your credit runs out.
Staying Safe During Al Qaith
The UAE government takes the Al Qaith heat very seriously. The annual midday outdoor work ban runs from June 15 to September 15 every year. During this period, outdoor labour under direct sunlight is not allowed between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm daily. Violating this rule can result in fines for employers. Doctors and health experts advise all residents to drink plenty of water throughout the day, avoid going out in the sun between noon and 4:00 pm, and wear light, loose, and light-coloured clothing. Never leave children or pets inside a parked car, even for a few minutes, as temperatures inside a closed vehicle can become deadly within minutes. Early warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, dizziness, and tiredness. If you or someone around you shows these signs, move to a cool place immediately and drink water. Also, during extreme heat seasons, scam calls tend to increase as fraudsters try to reach people with fake utility or payment alerts. Stay protected by using the Who Called Me From This Number UAE tool to quickly identify any unknown caller and avoid falling for phone scams.
Al Qaith is one of the UAE’s oldest seasonal traditions. The heat that once shaped the farming calendar and the way of life in the desert still shapes daily life today. For more helpful guides and the latest news about life in the UAE, visit Ever List.
