• A hot and dusty day in downtown Dubai. Temperatures in one desert region hit 50°C on Sunday, while the cities sweltered in 45°C heat. Pawan Singh / The National
    A hot and dusty day in downtown Dubai. Temperatures in one desert region hit 50°C on Sunday, while the cities sweltered in 45°C heat. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A swimmer dives into the Mediterranean Sea to cool off on a sweltering day in in Beirut, where it was 40°C this weekend. AP Photo
    A swimmer dives into the Mediterranean Sea to cool off on a sweltering day in in Beirut, where it was 40°C this weekend. AP Photo
  • Children cool off outside the Tokyo Skytree as temperatures hit the mid-30s. Japan issued heatstroke alerts to tens of millions of people on Sunday. AFP
    Children cool off outside the Tokyo Skytree as temperatures hit the mid-30s. Japan issued heatstroke alerts to tens of millions of people on Sunday. AFP
  • Beachgoers cool off in the ocean at a beach in Valencia, Spain. A new heat wave is to hit the country on Monday, with temperatures above 40°C expected in many places. EPA
    Beachgoers cool off in the ocean at a beach in Valencia, Spain. A new heat wave is to hit the country on Monday, with temperatures above 40°C expected in many places. EPA
  • People cool off using water from a fountain on St Peter's Square in the Vatican City. AFP
    People cool off using water from a fountain on St Peter's Square in the Vatican City. AFP
  • A man cools off in a fountain during a heat wave in Turin, Italy. EPA
    A man cools off in a fountain during a heat wave in Turin, Italy. EPA
  • People use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun in Milan, Italy. EPA
    People use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun in Milan, Italy. EPA
  • Spanish street sweeper Javier drinks water in Ronda. Temperatures will hit 40°C from Sunday to Tuesday on the Canary Islands and in Andalusia. AFP
    Spanish street sweeper Javier drinks water in Ronda. Temperatures will hit 40°C from Sunday to Tuesday on the Canary Islands and in Andalusia. AFP
  • The heatwave in Greece, codenamed 'Kleon', has seen temperatures reach as high as 44°C over the past four days. EPA
    The heatwave in Greece, codenamed 'Kleon', has seen temperatures reach as high as 44°C over the past four days. EPA
  • Temperatures have hit 35°C in Belgrade. AFP
    Temperatures have hit 35°C in Belgrade. AFP

UAE

UAE weather: Temperature crosses 50°C for the first time in 2023

Mercury hits 50.1°C in Bada Dafas in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region for two days in a row

The National

July 16, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Temperatures in the UAE on Saturday crossed the searing 50°C threshold for the first time this year.

The mercury climbed to 50.1°C in Bada Dafas in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region at 2.30pm, the National Centre of Meteorology recorded.

The weather bureau confirmed to The National on Sunday it was the first time temperatures crossed the threshold this year as the peak of summer descends on the country.

Temperatures hit the same highs on Sunday with the NCM recording 50.1°C at the same place.

High temperatures and soaring humidity led to a scorching start to July. Doctors have previously advised people to avoid direct sunlight, stay hydrated and watch for dehydration symptoms in children.

The UAE has also introduced a mandatory midday break for workers from July 15 to September 15. The policy bans people from carrying out work outside between 12.30pm and 3pm.

Intense heatwaves are scorching many parts of the globe.

More than 111 million people across the US were under extreme heat warnings. It is a similar story in southern Europe with countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece sweltering amid a heatwave that has seen the mercury edge towards the high 40s.

Meanwhile, in its five-day bulletin issue on Sunday, the NCM forecast more humidity on Monday and Tuesday over some coastal areas but said temperatures could be a little lower.

Temperatures in Abu Dhabi on Monday are expected to reach about 42°C while in Dubai they could inch close to 40°C.

It also forecast for Monday that strong winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kph could kick up dust and sand clouds. Similar conditions are expected on Tuesday.

“[It will be] fair to partly cloudy in general,” the NCM said, in its Tuesday forecast. “Low clouds [are set to] appear over the east coast by morning.”

The weather bureau added that it could again be humid on Tuesday night with strong winds again set to kick up dust clouds.

High temperatures in Sweihan in 2022 – in pictures

  • A worker hydrates after a hot day. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    A worker hydrates after a hot day. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Sweihan, near Al Ain, hits 50°C for second day in a row.
    Sweihan, near Al Ain, hits 50°C for second day in a row.
  • Sweihan is well used to sizzling heat after the community one day in June last year recorded 51.8°C.
    Sweihan is well used to sizzling heat after the community one day in June last year recorded 51.8°C.
  • Wednesday was another scorching day when 'The National' visited.
    Wednesday was another scorching day when 'The National' visited.
  • With temperatures soaring, could you fry an egg with the help of the intense heat?
    With temperatures soaring, could you fry an egg with the help of the intense heat?
  • The blistering sunshine ensured the egg would cook, even if it was more baked than fried.
    The blistering sunshine ensured the egg would cook, even if it was more baked than fried.
  • A worker enjoys a drink on another sweltering day.
    A worker enjoys a drink on another sweltering day.
The team

Videographer: Jear Velasquez 

Photography: Romeo Perez 

Fashion director: Sarah Maisey 

Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 

Models: Meti and Clinton at MMG 

Video assistant: Zanong Maget 

Social media: Fatima Al Mahmoud  

It's Monty Python's Crashing Rocket Circus

To the theme tune of the famous zany British comedy TV show, SpaceX has shown exactly what can go wrong when you try to land a rocket.

The two minute video posted on YouTube is a compilation of crashes and explosion as the company, created by billionaire Elon Musk, refined the technique of reusable space flight.

SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land  once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.

But as the video, How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster, demonstrates, it was a case if you fail, try and try again.

RESULT

Liverpool 4 Southampton 0
Jota (2', 32')
Thiago (37')
Van Dijk (52')

Man of the match: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2

Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')

Barcelona 0

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More from Firas Maksad
Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

While you're here
If you go

Flying

Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.

 

Touring

Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com 

While you're here
Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing

In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.

While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.

In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all). 

“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”

Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.

"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."

Racecard

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m

8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m

9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud

On Women's Day
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Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
RACE CARD

6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m

7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m

8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m

10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m

Updated: July 17, 2023, 6:37 AM
UAEWeather