On this day in 2017, the UAE recorded its lowest temperature in history, as the mercury dipped to a chilly -5.7°C on Ras Al Khaimah's Jebel Jais mountain, the country's highest peak. The extreme cold on February 3, 2017, remains a historic moment in the region's climate history.
Jebel Jais, located around 25 kilometers from Ras Al Khaimah City, is renowned for its lower temperatures, particularly during the winter months. The mountain is a popular tourist destination, with attractions like the Jais Adventure Park (JAP), home to the world's longest zipline, and breathtaking mountain views.
Winter in the UAE, generally from November to March, brings a welcome break from the intense summer heat. Daytime temperatures usually range between 15°C and 25°C in most areas. However, the UAE's mountainous regions, especially Jebel Jais, can experience significant drops in temperature, occasionally reaching freezing levels. On rare occasions, such as February 3, 2017, the temperatures can dip well below zero.
As noted by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the second-lowest temperature recorded in the country’s history was also on Jebel Jais, a day later, on February 4, 2017, when the mercury dropped to -3°C. The peak of Jebel Jais, which stands at 5,700 feet, has also seen snow on January 24, 2009, with snow blanketing the area for more than five kilometers.
Other notable instances of record-low temperatures on Jebel Jais include:
- February 5, 2008: -2.7°C
- February 6, 2008: -2°C
- February 23, 2015: -1.2°C
- February 1, 2008: -1.1°C
- February 2, 2008: -1.1°C
- February 24, 2015: -0.1°C
The lowest temperature recorded in the UAE so far this year occurred on January 4, 2025, with 1.9°C at Jebel Jais at 5am. This drop led to frost formation on the mountain, with ice crystals seen floating in water streams and accumulating on vehicles.
The region's winter climate, with its clear skies and occasional rain, makes it a prime season for outdoor activities, attracting both residents and tourists to explore the cooler temperatures and scenic landscapes of the UAE’s mountainous regions.
