Temperatures crossed the 50 degree Celsius mark in the UAE for the first time in 2023, the National Centre for Meteorology has confirmed.
A figure of 50.1 Celsius was recorded at Bada Dafas in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region at 2:45 pm on Sunday.
It was cooler on the coast, however, with Abu Dhabi peaking at 45 C, and Dubai reaching 42 C.
According to official records, the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UAE was back in July 2002, when the mercury hit 52.1 C.
The hottest day of the year was recorded as regions across the world are facing unprecedented weather extremes, including torrential rain in South Korea and searing heat in China and the United States.
#أعلى_درجة_حرارة سجلت على الدولة هذا اليوم 50.1 درجة مئوية في بدع دعفس (منطقة الظفرة) الساعة 14:45 بالتوقيت المحلي لدولة الإمارات.
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) July 16, 2023
.#The_highest_temperature recorded over the country today is 50.1°C in Bada Dafas (Al Dhafra Region) at 14:45 UAE Local time. pic.twitter.com/1AeUlDgBsT