AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CLIMATE OF THE UNITED-ARAB-EMIRATES

An information survey of the recent climate of the United Arab Emirate s (UAE) was conducted and existing data were used in order to compile a sound and brief introduction to the countries' climates, which are l ittle described in detail. Generally the climate of the UAE is classif ied as hyperarid. Within the country there are different bioclimatic z ones. In the north-eastern areas there are higher mean precipitation r ates, and lower temperatures, in comparison with the southern and the western region. The climates of the UAE are similar to those of other areas in Arabia, with low mean precipitation rates, whereas the mean a nnual temperatures increase along a north-south gradient from Kuwait a nd Riyadh towards Dibba and Muscat. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited