Bahrain's Heat: Unique Climate Characteristics Explained

Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, comprising 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. It has an arid climate with two seasons: an extremely hot summer and a relatively mild winter. The hot season lasts from April to October, with an average daytime temperature of about 40°C (104°F). The combination of intense heat and high humidity makes this season uncomfortable. The temperature can reach 46°C (114.8°F) during May, June and July. The highest temperature ever recorded in Bahrain was 47.4°C in July 2010.

Bahrain's arid climate

Bahrain is an archipelago of islands in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It has an arid climate, with two seasons: an extremely hot summer and a relatively mild winter.

The hot season lasts from April to October, with average daytime temperatures of about 40°C (104°F). During this time, the combination of intense heat and high humidity makes conditions very uncomfortable. The sun shines for up to 14 hours per day, and the dry winds can reach speeds of 8.9 mph. The average level of precipitation during summer is zero, and overcast skies barely reach a couple of hours for the whole season.

The winter months, from November to March, are much cooler, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). However, the humidity often rises above 90% during this time of year, and there is more rainfall than in the summer. From December to March, prevailing winds from the northwest, known as the shamal, bring damp air over the islands.

Bahrain receives little precipitation overall, with an average of 72mm (2.8 inches) of rainfall per year, usually confined to the winter months. There are no permanent rivers or streams on the islands, and most rainwater is not saved for irrigation or drinking. However, there are numerous natural springs in the northern parts of Bahrain and on adjacent islands, which have attracted settlers to the archipelago since ancient times.

The Persian Gulf's influence

The Persian Gulf is a significant influence on Bahrain's climate. The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, consisting of Bahrain Island and 33 of the 37 Bahrain Islands, located in the Gulf of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed epicontinental water body with an average depth of around 35 metres and a complex bathymetry. The circulation of the water body is generally counterclockwise, and the water residence time is around 2-5 years.

The climate of the Persian Gulf region is characterised by high temperatures and low precipitation, with the average annual temperature and rainfall varying depending on geography and orography. The average annual rainfall on the southern coasts and over the Gulf is less than 100 mm, while the northern watershed areas receive, on average, 355 mm of precipitation annually. The air temperature in lowland areas can exceed 50°C during summer, and the average monthly temperature in summer is above 32°C. The low-lying areas experience mild temperatures in winter, with most precipitation occurring from November to March.

The Persian Gulf is influenced by different seasonal winds, including the Shamal wind, which is the most prolonged and intense wind in the region. It transports around 90 million tons of dust into the Gulf region annually, mainly from the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, and Syria. The Shamal wind occurs during winter and summer, with its activity peaking in June and July and being more active in November and March.

The marine environment of the Persian Gulf is also influenced by the Indian Ocean Monsoon. The sea surface temperatures can exceed 35°C in summer, while they can drop below 10°C in winter. The warm and saline water of the Gulf exits through the Strait of Hormuz, and the outflowing plume extends into the Arabian Sea. The main source of freshwater in the Gulf is the Shatt-Al-Arab river system, formed by the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in Iraq, with contributions from the Karun River in Iran.

The biodiversity of the Persian Gulf is limited by its harsh environmental conditions, with coral reefs, coral patches, seagrass meadows, and algal beds being the most diverse marine ecosystems. The Gulf's catchment basin can be divided into three main sub-basins: the Shatt-Al-Arab basin in the northwest, the Iranian watershed in the north, and the Arabian Peninsula basin in the south. The average annual discharge of the Shatt-Al-Arab river system is highly variable, ranging from less than 30 to more than 84 billion cubic meters during the 1960s and 1970s.

In summary, the Persian Gulf's influence on Bahrain's climate is characterised by high temperatures, low precipitation, and the impact of seasonal winds and marine currents. The Gulf's semi-enclosed nature and complex bathymetry contribute to its unique climate characteristics.

Summer temperatures

Bahrain's summer temperatures are extremely hot, oppressive, and arid. The hot season lasts from April to October, with an average daytime temperature of about 40 °C (104 °F). The combination of intense heat and high humidity makes this season uncomfortable. The highest temperature of 47.10 °C (116.78 °F) was recorded in July 2024.

The summer months see a rise in average temperatures, with the mercury climbing above 35 °C (95 °F) and often reaching 40 °C (104 °F). The sun shines for up to 14 hours per day, and dry winds can make the weather feel even hotter. The water temperature can reach 34 °C (93 °F), and the shallow seas around Bahrain heat up quickly, further increasing humidity.

The hottest month of the year is typically July, with an average high of 37.5 °C (100 °F) and a low of 29.5 °C (85 °F). June and August are also sweltering, with average highs of 36 °C (97 °F) and 38 °C (101 °F), respectively. The average daily high temperature during the hot season is above 34 °C (94 °F).

The summer season in Bahrain is characterised by a lack of precipitation, with the average level of rainfall being zero. Overcast days are rare, occurring only for a couple of hours during the entire season. The arid climate and intense heat make Bahrain's summers challenging for residents and visitors alike.

Winter temperatures

Bahrain's winter temperatures are mild and comfortable, with daytime highs ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). The winter season in Bahrain lasts from November to March, and while it is never really cold, the coldest month is January, with an average low of 14°C (57°F) and a high of 20°C (69°F).

The winter months bring higher humidity to Bahrain, often exceeding 90%, and this is when most of the country's annual rainfall occurs. While the average annual rainfall is only 72 millimetres (2.8 inches), brief but torrential downpours can cause flooding. These heavy rains usually fall in January, which is the wettest month, and can also fall in December or February.

The winter season in Bahrain is a popular time for tourists, as the cooler temperatures provide a more comfortable climate for exploring the country's cultural and historical sites. The mild weather is also ideal for outdoor activities such as birdwatching, scuba diving, and horse riding.

While the winter temperatures are much cooler than the sweltering summers, Bahrain still receives plenty of sunshine, with an average of over 3500 hours of sunshine per year. Even in December, the sun shines for around 9.5 hours per day.

Overall, Bahrain's winter offers a pleasant break from the intense heat of summer, providing a mix of mild temperatures, higher humidity, and occasional rainfall.

The impact of the sun

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. The climate is arid, and most of its territory is desert. The Kingdom of Bahrain consists of Bahrain Island and 33 of the 37 Bahrain Islands, with the capital city of Manama. The country experiences extremely hot summers and mild winters, with two distinct seasons.

The sun's rays, combined with the shallow seas around Bahrain, which heat up quickly during the summer, result in very high humidity, especially at night. This can lead to a feeling of being trapped in an oven, as the heat and humidity are nearly constant. The average level of precipitation during the summer is essentially zero, and overcast days are rare, occurring only for a couple of hours per season.

The sun's impact is not limited to the summer months, however. Even during the winter, from November to March, temperatures can range from 10 °C to 20 °C (50 °F to 68 °F). While this is considered mild compared to the summer, the humidity often rises above 90%, making it feel much warmer. The shamal winds, which occur during the winter, drive humid air masses over the archipelago, contributing to the muggy conditions.

The sun's rays also have an impact on the water temperatures in Bahrain. During the summer, the seawater near the shores can reach temperatures of up to 34 °C (93 °F), making it ideal for bathing and swimming. However, the high temperatures can also contribute to the evaporation of water, leading to periodic droughts, which are a natural hazard for the country.

Overall, the sun's impact on Bahrain is significant, with the country experiencing extremely hot and humid summers and mild, wet winters. The high temperatures and intense sunshine have shaped the daily lives and cultural practices of those who call Bahrain home.

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