Dubai vs Abu Dhabi: which is sunnier?
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates vs 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · 116 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)
Abu Dhabi is the sunnier overall: about 3,431 hours of sunshine a year to Dubai's 3,278. Abu Dhabi has the higher Sunshine Score in 8 of 12 months; the other 4 are within 2 points.
Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.
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At a glance
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine hours / year | 3,278 | 3,431 |
| Sunniest month | February (97/100) | February (99/100) |
| Nov–Feb average score | 97/100 | 98/100 |
| Jun–Aug average score | 0/100 | 46/100 |
| Rain / year | 94 mm | 64 mm |
| Warmest sea | 35°C / 95°F | 35°C / 95°F |
| Peak midday UV | 10 (very high) | 10 (very high) |
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi month by month
| Month | Sunshine Score | Day high °C | Rain mm | Sea °C | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | |
| January | 95 | 98 | 25° | 22° | 17 | 11 | 22° | 22° |
| February | 97 | 99 | 27° | 23° | 10 | 5 | 22° | 21° |
| March | 95 | 97 | 31° | 26° | 19 | 13 | 24° | 23° |
| April | 58 | 98 | 36° | 30° | 10 | 6 | 26° | 26° |
| May | 0 | 79 | 42° | 34° | 6 | 3 | 30° | 29° |
| June | 0 | 59 | 44° | 36° | 5 | 3 | 33° | 33° |
| July | 0 | 40 | 45° | 38° | 2 | 1 | 35° | 35° |
| August | 0 | 40 | 45° | 38° | 2 | 1 | 34° | 35° |
| September | 0 | 49 | 42° | 37° | 2 | 5 | 34° | 34° |
| October | 39 | 79 | 38° | 34° | 2 | 1 | 32° | 32° |
| November | 97 | 98 | 32° | 29° | 8 | 6 | 29° | 29° |
| December | 97 | 98 | 27° | 25° | 11 | 9 | 25° | 25° |
The sunnier month by month: Jan Abu Dhabi · Feb even · Mar even · Apr Abu Dhabi · May Abu Dhabi · Jun Abu Dhabi · Jul Abu Dhabi · Aug Abu Dhabi · Sep Abu Dhabi · Oct Abu Dhabi · Nov even · Dec even.
When to pick which
- November–February: too close to call — Dubai averages 97/100, Abu Dhabi 98/100. Dubai is the warmer, around 28°C daytime highs vs 25°C. See the winter sun ranking.
- March–May: Abu Dhabi (average score 91/100 vs 51). Dubai is the warmer, around 36°C daytime highs vs 30°C.
- June–August: Abu Dhabi (average score 46/100 vs 0). Dubai is the warmer, around 45°C daytime highs vs 37°C.
- September–October: Abu Dhabi (average score 64/100 vs 20). Dubai is the warmer, around 40°C daytime highs vs 36°C.
Sea temperature
Both seas peak at 35°C / 95°F. Swimmable water (21°C+): Dubai all year, Abu Dhabi all year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.
Full month-by-month guides: Dubai weather by month · Abu Dhabi weather by month · Best time to visit United Arab Emirates.
More comparisons: Dubai vs Sharjah · Dubai vs Ras Al Khaimah · Dubai vs Hurghada · Abu Dhabi vs Sharjah · Abu Dhabi vs Ras Al Khaimah · Abu Dhabi vs Salalah · all head-to-heads