Al Ain: The oasis city was on Wednesday one of the hottest spots in the country.

Temperatures have been rising continuously across the emirates in a month that is normally considered to be the wettest in the year.

Weathermen said the conditions are due to prolonged southerly and south-easterly winds.

"The cold Shamal [westerly or north-westerly] winds are currently not blowing, and we are expecting further but gradual increase in the temperature at least up to Saturday," said Dr S. K. Gupta, a senior forecaster at Dubai Meteorological Office.

February is one of the windiest and wettest months in the UAE with regular Shamals affecting the Gulf. The month holds the record for the most rainfall in a day - 150.2 millimetres in 1988 at Dubai Airport.

The department has recorded an average of 25 millimetres of rain in this month, but this year has largely been dry.

The official said the cycles of Shamal winds are not yet completely over as a few more patches are expected at a later stage.

Strong south-easterly winds, however, often develop and bring hot and dry conditions with occasional sandstorms in February. The end of Shamal winds introduces the summer season in the region in the month of June.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), the maximum high yesterday in Al Ain was 36C. Abu Dhabi recorded 35C and Dubai was at 32C. It is expected to rise up to 34C in Dubai in the next few days.

The centre said weather will be fair in general across the UAE.

It said conditions could be hazy at times. It will be cold at night over some interior and mountainous areas. Humidity is also expected to increase at night and in the early morning over some coastal and western interior areas with a chance of fog.

Winds will be blowing at a moderate speed of eight to 15 knots but may cause rising dust in some open areas on Friday.

It will reduce horizontal visibility. The sea will be moderate to rough with three to six feet high waves offshore.