Kuwait enters ‘Al-Shartain’ season as daylight exceeds 13 hours
Dusty winds and rising temperatures mark beginning of Kuwait’s ‘Al-Kanna’ season asd summer heat intensifies
The Al-Ujairi Scientific Center announced the start of the second phase of the “Al-Kanna” season beginning today, May 12, 2026, marking a noticeable shift toward hotter summer conditions across Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula.
The center stated that the new period, known as the “Al-Shartain” star, will continue for 13 days and is characterized by significantly shorter shadows and longer daylight hours exceeding 13-and-a-half hours daily.
According to the center, temperatures during the daytime are expected to rise sharply, making outdoor conditions increasingly uncomfortable, especially during peak afternoon hours. The period is also associated with active northern winds carrying dust and dirt across many areas.
The Al-Ujairi Scientific Center explained that “Al-Shartain” is considered one of the key astronomical indicators signaling the approach of summer and the dominance of hot weather throughout the region.
The period is also marked by increasing dryness and lower humidity levels, alongside the activation of dry northwesterly winds locally known as “Al-Barah,” which are often accompanied by dust storms and reduced visibility.
The center added that “Al-Shartain” forms part of the “Al-Kanna” season, during which the Pleiades star cluster temporarily disappears from view because of its conjunction with the sun. During this transition, the stars shift from being visible in the western sky after sunset to reappearing gradually in the east before sunrise.
