The seasonal movement of the Pleiades happens today and it marks the shift into summer
Did you know that the disappearance of the Pleiades begins today, 28, April, marking the UAE’s seasonal shift into summer?
As highlighted by the Emirates Astronomy Society, this signals the start of a transition phase known as Al Kanna or Al Ghuyoub (the setting of the Pleiades), traditionally observed by Bedouin communities and set to run from 28 April until 7 June.
This is one of the key natural markers used to identify the start of the summer season in the region – not a single date on a calendar, but a gradual shift tied to the sky and changing conditions on the ground.
The seasonal movement of the Pleiades continues to quietly track this change, and for most people, the shift is easy to feel even without looking at the sky.
And if you’re wondering what exactly is the Pleiades – it’s a small cluster of bright stars, sometimes called the ‘Seven Sisters’, visible in the night sky during cooler months.
As the year progresses, it appears lower on the horizon until it eventually disappears from view as it aligns with the sun.
In everyday life, this is usually when people begin to notice small but consistent changes. Mornings start to feel warmer earlier, shaded areas don’t stay cool for long, and stepping outside in the afternoon becomes noticeably less comfortable.
It’s also the point where AC use becomes constant rather than occasional, and outdoor plans naturally shift to later in the evening.
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Practically, this shift means adapting before the intense summer fully arrives. Daily routines start revolving around avoiding peak heat hours, and there’s a growing reliance on indoor spaces, malls, and shaded areas.
Energy use goes up as cooling systems work harder, and even short outdoor tasks begin to feel more tiring than they did just weeks before.
This period, lasting around 40 days, builds gradually. The air becomes drier, the sun harsher, and the overall environment more demanding.
While it’s not yet the peak summer season, it sets the tone for what’s ahead with longer, hotter days and sustained high temperatures.
In the past, people paid close attention to this phase because it sometimes brought brief, subtle weather changes just before the Pleiades disappeared completely.
Today, even with modern forecasting, that sense of transition still holds. It’s less about a sudden switch and more about a steady shift that everyone begins to adjust to, often without even realising it at first.
For further information, visit uaeas.ae
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