Best time to visit Abu Dhabi
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Abu Dhabi
11 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Abu Dhabi).
- 1
Private Abu Dhabi Layover Tour: Flexible Time & Airport Transfers - 2
Private - Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour - 3
Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi - 4
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows - 5
Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour Sharing Experience - 6
Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari BBQ, Camel Ride, Entertainments - 7
Abu Dhabi: Morning Desert Safari with Camels and Sandboarding - 8
Half-Day Desert Safari from Abu Dhabi - 9
From Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Tower - 10
Abu Dhabi: Desert Safari with BBQ, Camel Ride & Sandboarding - 11
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Dinner Shows
Last refreshed 2026-06-06.
Similar climatesDoha96% · Marrakech85% · Phoenix84%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Abu Dhabi (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Abu Dhabi's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18–24 | 22 | 2 | 28 | 14.0 | 52% | 24 | 227 | 5 | Quiet | 10 |
| Feb | 18–25 | 24 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 53% | 25 | 223 | 7 | Quiet | 10 |
| Mar | 21–29 | 27 | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 44% | 26 | 240 | 8 | Quiet | 10 |
| Apr | 23–32 | 32 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 38% | 25 | 243 | 9 | Quiet | 6 |
| May | 27–36 | 36 | 0 | 2 | — | 36% | 26 | 279 | 10 | Quiet | 3 |
| Jun | 30–39 | 41 | 0 | 0 | — | 40% | 25 | 277 | 10 | Quiet | 2 |
| Jul | 32–40 | 44 | 0 | 2 | — | 41% | 25 | 258 | 9 | Quiet | 2 |
| Aug | 32–41 | 44 | 0 | 1 | — | 40% | 25 | 256 | 9 | Busy | 2 |
| Sep | 30–39 | 41 | 0 | 0 | — | 40% | 24 | 251 | 9 | Moderate | 2 |
| Oct | 27–35 | 36 | 0 | 2 | — | 44% | 23 | 250 | 7 | Moderate | 3 |
| Nov | 24–31 | 31 | 0 | 4 | — | 48% | 20 | 225 | 6 | Peak | 7 |
| Dec | 20–26 | 25 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 50% | 20 | 226 | 5 | Busy | 10 |
UV Index in Abu Dhabi by Month
UV index in Abu Dhabi peaks at 10 (very high) in May, dropping to 5 (moderate) in December. March, April, May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
December
10/1020–26°C · 1 rain days (9h) · 226 sun hours · 50% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 5 (moderate)
January
10/1018–24°C (feels 22°C) · 2 rain days (28h) · 227 sun hours · 52% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate)
February
10/1018–25°C (feels 24°C) · 1 rain days (7h) · 223 sun hours · 53% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
March
10/1021–29°C (feels 27°C) · 1 rain days (11h) · 240 sun hours · 44% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
April
6/1023–32°C · 1 rain days (7h) · 243 sun hours · 38% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 9 (very high)
May
3/1027–36°C · 0 rain days (2h) · 279 sun hours · 36% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (extreme)
June
2/1030–39°C (feels 41°C) · 0 rain days (0h) · 277 sun hours · 40% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high)
July
2/1032–40°C (feels 44°C) · 0 rain days (2h) · 258 sun hours · 41% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 9 (very high)
August
2/1032–41°C (feels 44°C) · 0 rain days (1h) · 256 sun hours · 40% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 9 (very high)
September
2/1030–39°C (feels 41°C) · 0 rain days (0h) · 251 sun hours · 40% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 9 (very high)
October
3/1027–35°C (feels 36°C) · 0 rain days (2h) · 250 sun hours · 44% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
November
7/1024–31°C · 0 rain days (4h) · 225 sun hours · 48% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
Frequently asked questions about visiting Abu Dhabi
When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi?
December is the highest-scoring month (10/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 20–26°C (1 rainy day). The top three months by score are December, January, February.
What is the worst time to visit Abu Dhabi?
September is the lowest-scoring month (2/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 30–39°C (0 rainy days).
Is Abu Dhabi too hot in summer?
8 months (April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Abu Dhabi?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in April and peaks in November. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Abu Dhabi have good weather but fewer tourists?
January (climate 10/10, crowd index 17) and February (climate 10/10, crowd index 9) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Abu Dhabi by month?
UV peaks at 10 (very high) in May and is lowest in December at 5 (moderate). Monthly peak values: Jan 5, Feb 7, Mar 8, Apr 9, May 10, Jun 10, Jul 9, Aug 9, Sep 9, Oct 7, Nov 6, Dec 5. March, April, May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Abu Dhabi in May?
May is the peak UV month in Abu Dhabi, with a daily-peak UV index of 10 (very high). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Abu Dhabi on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. May is the worst case: typical days average UV 10 (very high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 11 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: March, May, October, November. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Abu Dhabi bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 12 months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The worst month is July with a typical-day mean of 53 µg/m³ (hazardous); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 68 µg/m³ (hazardous) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.