Recently, temperatures in the Middle East surpassed 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51.67 degrees Celsius), following a series of record high temperatures. Reports indicated that heat levels in several countries reached national record highs or attempted to surpass them, amidst a scorching heatwave that raised temperatures 15 degrees above the normal average for the already sweltering region. Matthew Cappucci, a meteorologist with Capital Weather Gang, stated in an article in the Washington Post that five countries recently joined the club of nations experiencing temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), noting that this extreme heat comes a month before annual peak temperature levels are typically reached.
The author pointed out that this intense heat has become increasingly common in the region due to the ongoing effects of human-induced climate change, making the Middle East one of the hottest areas in the world, where recording three-digit temperatures alongside severe drought has become the norm.
On Saturday, the temperature reached 123.8 degrees Fahrenheit (51 degrees Celsius) in the Sweihan area of Abu Dhabi, and 123.6 degrees Fahrenheit (50.89 degrees Celsius) in the Jahra area of Kuwait. Additionally, the temperature in the Sinai area of Oman rose to 122.2 degrees Fahrenheit (50.11 degrees Celsius), with similar readings observed in Sibi, Pakistan. However, even after the sweltering weather on Saturday, temperatures climbed higher on Sunday, with a remarkable reading of 125.2 degrees Fahrenheit (51.78 degrees Celsius) recorded in Sweihan, UAE.
According to Etienne Kapikian, a meteorologist with Météo-France, the high temperatures in Sweihan exceeded those recorded in the same area on July 2, 2017, which was 124.3 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking the record for the month as well as almost achieving the national record. Climate historian Max Herrera tweeted that "the Middle East and Central Asia are experiencing the harshest heatwave in history for this time of year," also noting high temperature readings in elevated areas.
The author highlighted that temperatures reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.89 degrees Celsius) and above can cause crayons to melt, distort railway tracks, soften asphalt, and extend aircraft takeoff distances. High temperatures are among the deadliest forms of weather, with the number of fatalities caused by heat exceeding those caused by disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
Regarding the weather conditions in the UAE, the author reported that a weather balloon launched Monday evening from Abu Dhabi International Airport recorded temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to nearly 5,000 feet above the ground, explaining that this heat at the beginning of the season is a result of a high-pressure system known as a "heat dome." The author noted that during the heat dome period, temperatures reached record numbers, largely indicating the impact of human-induced climate change.
