Summer is coming... prepare for 49 degrees Celsius
Suddenly GoT’s giant wall of ice doesn’t sound so bad, as temperatures in Dubai are set to spike over the next few days.
It’s no secret that the UAE gets a little warm during the summer months, but the mercury is set to nudge 50 degrees Celsius over the next few days.
Internal areas of the country can expect temperatures of 45C to 49C through to the weekend, while coastal areas will see highs between 39C and 46C.
The raging heat is due to a hot air mass “characterised by dryness”, a National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) forecaster told Gulf News.
“For this reason, the temperature is rising and jumping up to 48C to 49C sometimes over internal areas.”
Humidity is also expected to spike, with today seeing levels of around 36 per cent according to NCMS, with highs of up to 44C.
*VIDEO: See Downtown Dubai from space*
Last weekend also sizzled
Saih Al Salam, near Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, saw blistering temperatures of 48.4C on Saturday, peaking at 49.2C on Sunday, with the UAE capital Abu Dhabi and Dubai not too far behind at 44C.
Unfortunately for those of us who aren’t big fans of the summer sweats, the temperature in Dubai is looking to stick around 40C for the next month or so.
On a more fortunate note – those of us in Dubai will be treated to less humidity than other parts of the UAE, with relative humidity in the city looking to stick around 10 to 20 per cent.
In the capital, humidity levels are set to reach close to 70 per cent – which unfortunately means that the forecast 40C to 45C temperatures are going to feel a lot warmer than they already are.
*MORE: This man walked 340km across the desert from Saudi to Oman*
Dry days allow your sweat to evaporate quicker, meaning your body can get rid of heat faster. However, when the air is already humid and saturated with water, sweat evaporates more slowly, making you feel hotter.
The heat’s not all bad though. If you’re looking for a way to pass the time that doesn’t entirely involve hiding indoors, here’s a video showing you how to bake cookies on your car’s dashboard.
HOW TO STAY HEALTHY IN THE HEAT
Eat and drink your way through the heat with tips from Victoria Tipper of the Dubai Herbal Treatment Centre.
• Sip water all day long, rather than just when you are thirsty. If you are thirsty it means you are already dehydrated.
• Some fruit and vegetables can rehydrate the body even more than water. Their combination of minerals, natural sugars and water content act as a whole package. High water fruits include watermelon, papaya, strawberries and grapefruit. Hydrating vegetables are celery, cucumber, iceberg lettuce and tomatoes.
• Broth-based soups are a great way to rehydrate, and cold homemade soups are particularly cooling, such as gazpacho or cucumber.
• Water is important, but too much water can be dangerous as it can cause electrolyte depletion.
• Boost electrolytes through your diet by eating Greek yoghurt, sardines, pumpkin seeds, kale and spinach. Adding a little sea salt to food will also help replace electrolytes if you have been sweating excessively.
• Avoid drinks containing alcohol and caffeine because they will dehydrate you further.
• Humid weather makes it more difficult for the body to cool down so avoid exercising outdoors.
*ALSO: More epic photos of the UAE from space*
WARNING SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
HEAT CRAMPS
Warning signs: Heat cramps bring on sudden pains in muscle tissue, usually in the stomach, arms and legs area.
What to do: Exercising? Stop, and look for somewhere cool to rest. Sip water and rest for a few hours before doing anything too strenuous.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Warning signs: A person may suddenly look pale. Heart rate will increase and the victim may complain of feeling dizzy and nauseous. A feeling of weakness is also common.
What to do: Seek shade immediately and lie down, especially if you’re feeling lightheaded. Apply a cold compress to the forehead and remove extra layers.
HEAT STROKE
Warning signs: Heat stroke is a type of hyperthermia where the body temperature is greatly elevated. If not treated it can be fatal. Symptoms can be similar to those of a heart attack, along with nausea, headaches, hallucinations, difficulty in breathing and agitation.
What to do: Apply cool water to the skin to encourage sweating and evaporation. Placing ice packs under the arms will also do the trick to reduce temperature quickly.
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