Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has a hot desert climate classified as BWh under the Köppen system. B identifies an arid climate, W means desert rather than semi-arid steppe, and h indicates a hot climate with a mean annual temperature above 18°C.
Dubai’s desert classification is driven chiefly by its very low annual rainfall. Summers are exceptionally hot, prolonged, and humid because the city lies on the Arabian Gulf, while winters are mild to warm by global standards. Rainfall is scarce and irregular, even though occasional storms can produce severe flooding.
The most common confusion is with BSh, the hot semi-arid climate. BSh receives more precipitation than a desert climate, whereas Dubai remains below the Köppen desert threshold. BSk and BWk are also incorrect because k denotes a cooler mean annual climate, not Dubai’s persistently hot conditions.
Nearby Abu Dhabi is likewise commonly classified as BWh, reflecting the broader arid climate of much of the UAE.