The United Arab Emirates announced on Friday a record-breaking temperature for the month of May, reaching 50.4 degrees Celsius — a level not seen in two decades in this oil-rich Gulf nation.
"The highest temperature recorded across the country today was 50.4 degrees Celsius in Al Shawamekh," located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) wrote on its X account.
"This is the highest temperature ever recorded (in May) since we began measurements in 2003," the NCM told AFP.
The previous record for May was 50.2 degrees Celsius, set in 2009.
Last month, the desert nation experienced unusually high temperatures for the season, with a record average high of 42.6 degrees Celsius. Authorities issued public health advisories urging people to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
On April 27, the temperature peaked at 46.6 degrees, marking the second-highest temperature ever recorded for the month of April in the country — just behind the 46.9°C record set in April 2012.
The UAE, a desert country and one of the world's top oil exporters, is also investing heavily in renewable energy.
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