The UAE has officially entered Waghrat Al Mirzam, the final and most intense stretch of the summer season. This phase, which lasts until August 10, marks the peak of desert heat across the Arabian Peninsula. It coincides with the rising of the Al Mirzam star — also known as Sirius or Al Shi’ra Al Yamaniya — a celestial event deeply rooted in regional heritage.

‘Coal of the Summer’

Often called Jamrat Al Qayz, or “the coal of the summer,” Waghrat Al Mirzam brings a dramatic rise in temperatures. As the star becomes visible in the sky, the UAE experiences its hottest days of the year. Shortly after, humid air masses begin to push in, and cloud activity increases, especially over mountainous areas like the Hajar range.

A Guide for the Ancients.

For generations, Bedouin and desert-dwelling communities used this phase as an agricultural and migratory marker. Traditional sayings such as “If Al Mirzam rises, gather your camels and prepare to depart,” reflected the shift in seasons and the need to return from grazing or harvesting trips.

Sirius: A Star of Legends and Science!

Sirius, part of the Canis Major constellation, is one of the brightest stars visible from Earth. It’s mentioned in the Qur’an and was revered by some pre-Islamic Arab tribes. With a surface temperature over 24,000°C, Sirius is much hotter and more luminous than the sun — though it’s 8.6 light-years away.

Tradition Meets Science.

While folklore strongly associates the rising of Sirius with scorching temperatures, modern astronomers clarify that there’s no direct scientific evidence linking the star’s appearance to heatwaves. Waghrat Al Mirzam is just one of several traditional summer phases in the region’s seasonal calendar, followed by Waghrat Al Nujaymat (Suhail) — a signal that cooler weather is on the horizon.