Bader Al-Omara, a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, has warned of an approaching heatwave season set to begin on Wednesday, July 16, with the rising of the Gemini star.
This period, known as “Jamrat Al-Qayz”, marks the peak of summer heat and is expected to last for 26 days, ending with the rising of the Al-Kulaybin star on August 11.
Al-Omara urged the public to take precautions to avoid sunstroke and limit direct exposure to the sun during this period, reports Al-Rai daily.
The season is also traditionally known as the “date ripening season” due to the intense heat that accelerates the ripening of dates.
Al-Omara explained that Jamrat Al-Qayz is divided into two star phases — the second Gemini star, marking the start of the season and Al-Mirzam (also known as Sirius), which continues the intense heat period.
Temperatures are expected to gradually decline beginning mid-August as the star Suhail rises on Aug 24, signaling the approach of the end of summer.
Although daytime heat will persist, nighttime temperatures will begin to moderate, particularly as the autumnal equinox approaches on Sept 22, marking the official start of astronomical autumn, when the sun aligns directly over the celestial equator.
