Climate

Dubai has a hot arid climate. The highest recorded temperature in Dubai is 47.3 °C (117.1 °F), and the lowest recorded temperature is 7 °C (45 °F). Rainfall is generally light, with a mean of about 150 millimetres (6 in) per year; precipitation is usually centered around the months of January, February and March. However, heavy rain is not uncommon in Dubai as the month of February 1988 saw a record of 150.2 mm of rain falling in just 24 hours. The mean humidity in Dubai is approximately 60% and is higher during the cooler winter months.

Population

Dubai is unusual in that the majority of its population of 1.37 million is comprised of expatriates. The vast majority are low income workers from the Indian subcontinent and the Philippines, although there are a significant number of professionals from Europe and Australasia. 78% are male and 22% female. Population growth is currently around 6% and increasing, making the city one of the fastest growing urban areas in the world.