United Arab Emirates in January

Coolest month (20–24 °C (68–75 °F) days); Dubai Shopping Festival; desert nights cold — pack a layer.Coolest month (68–75 °F (20–24 °C) days); Dubai Shopping Festival; desert nights cold — pack a layer.

No other month rates higher than January for United Arab Emirates in this guide.

• Gulf coast · Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah townbest weather

  November to March runs 20–30 °C (68–86 °F); June to September sits at 40–46 °C (104–115 °F) with humidity that makes nights sticky; shamal winds bring dust in spring and early summer.November to March runs 68–86 °F (20–30 °C); June to September sits at 104–115 °F (40–46 °C) with humidity that makes nights sticky; shamal winds bring dust in spring and early summer.

• Hajar mountains · Hatta, Jebel Jais, Wadi Shawkacool

  Jebel Jais summit is 8–10 °C (14–18 °F) cooler than the coast and can drop near freezing on winter nights; wadis flood after rare storms.Jebel Jais summit is 14–18 °F (8–10 °C) cooler than the coast and can drop near freezing on winter nights; wadis flood after rare storms.

• Inland desert · Al Ain, Liwa, Al Wathba, Sweihanbest weather

  Drier heat, often above 48 °C (118 °F) in July and August; Sweihan has recorded above 50 °C (122 °F). Winter nights in the dunes are cold.Drier heat, often above 118 °F (48 °C) in July and August; Sweihan has recorded above 122 °F (50 °C). Winter nights in the dunes are cold.

• East coast · Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Dibbabest weather

  Gulf of Oman side: slightly cooler sea breezes, but July–August humidity is extreme; calm water for snorkelling Oct–May.

• Abu Dhabi: Coast (Abu Dhabi city, Yas, Ruwais) · Gulf shorelinebest weather

  Humid in summer; sea breeze keeps evenings bearable. Winter days sit around 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).Humid in summer; sea breeze keeps evenings bearable. Winter days sit around 75–82 °F (24–28 °C).

• Abu Dhabi: Interior (Al Ain, Liwa) · Oasis and Empty Quarterbest weather

  Drier and hotter than the coast; desert nights in Dec–Feb can drop near 10 °C (50 °F), so pack a layer for dune camps.Drier and hotter than the coast; desert nights in Dec–Feb can drop near 50 °F (10 °C), so pack a layer for dune camps.

• Sharjah: Sharjah city and the Gulf coast · main block bordering Dubaibest weather

  November to March is the walking season; May to September is 38–45 °C (100–113 °F) with high humidity, so museums and malls are the daytime plan.November to March is the walking season; May to September is 100–113 °F (38–45 °C) with high humidity, so museums and malls are the daytime plan.

• Sharjah: Khor Fakkan and Kalba · Gulf of Oman exclavesbest weather

  Slightly cooler and breezier than the Gulf coast, but the same summer heat; the east coast is the better beach choice in shoulder months.

• Dubai24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
• Ajman24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 1 rain days
• Dibba26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days
• Fujairah24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 0 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 0 rain days
• Hatta24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 0 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 0 rain days
• Khor Fakkan24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
• Liwa Oasis24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days
• Ruwais24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 1 rain days
• Umm al Quwain24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days
• Yas Island24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 0 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 0 rain days
• Abu Dhabi24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days
• Sharjah24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 2 rain days
• Al Ain24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 1 rain days
• Ras Al Khaimah24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 2 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year's Day

  1 Jan

  Fireworks at Burj Khalifa on 31 Dec close roads from the afternoon; hotels at peak.

• Dubai Shopping Festival

  Mid-Dec – Jan (check)

  Sales, fireworks and concerts; malls packed in the evenings.

• Dubai Marathon check

  January (check) · Dubai

  Road closures on the coast.

Crowds · United Arab Emirates

High

Prices · United Arab Emirates

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in United Arab Emirates, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Gulf coast

  Best weather of the year (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah town)

• Inland desert

  Best weather of the year (Al Ain, Liwa, Al Wathba, Sweihan)

• East coast

  Best weather of the year (Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Dibba)

• Dubai

  Warm days, cool nights; hotel prices peak.

• Ajman

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Dibba

  Best months: Oct–May

• Fujairah

  Best months: Oct–May

• Hatta

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Khor Fakkan

  Best months: Oct–May

• Liwa Oasis

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Ruwais

  Best months: Nov–Mar (cooler weather, comfortable for outdoor walks)

• Umm al Quwain

  Best months: Nov–Mar