Dr. Abdullah Al-Misnad, Vice President of the Saudi Weather and Climate Society, attributed the peak temperatures in the Middle East during July to the 'thermal lag' phenomenon, coinciding with the continued intensity of solar radiation and long daylight hours.

The former climate professor at Qassim University explained that the land surface requires weeks to store heat after the sun's perpendicular overhead position over the Tropic of Cancer, noting that this accumulation explains why temperatures reach their maximum levels later.

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Al-Misnad pointed out that the region continues to receive enormous amounts of solar energy daily, despite the onset of decreasing daylight hours, adding that the sun's high elevation gives the Earth enough time to gain more atmospheric heat. He revealed the role of the upper subtropical high in preparing extremely dry air masses that dominate most regions, affirming that these masses raise temperatures and limit opportunities for cloud formation and rainfall. He cited the Arab proverb, 'No heat except after the departure,' referring to the sun's departure from its annual perpendicular position, noting that this historical observation perfectly matches the thermal lag phenomenon in modern climatology.