The End of Summer

The temperature might still be sweltering in Abu Dhabi, but the summer heat has peaked, stargazers at the Astronomy Centre say.

The sighting of the Suhail (Canopus) star over central Arabia traditionally marks the shift towards cooler weather and it was seen last night at about 5am. The star is the second-brightest star in the sky after Sirius and once guided pearl divers and pilgrims as they navigated at night.

However residents should not expect an immediate return to good weather, as the traditional 365-day Emirati Al Drour calendar predicts a delay of 70 to 80 days after the astronomical event (so the start of November). Temperatures today peaked at 46ºC before cooling to a humid 34ºC in the evening. 

Added note:
Al Drour is a 365-day calendar, divided into four main sections representing seasons. There are three seasons of 100 days and one of 60 days (it includes two summers - hot and extra hot). The remaining days are known as Al Khams Al Masrouqa, or the five stolen days