Bahrain's Seasons: Understanding The Weather Now

Bahrain is an archipelago in the Gulf of Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The country has an arid climate, and its weather is similar to that of other Gulf countries. There are no distinct seasons in Bahrain, but the year can be divided into two periods: an extremely hot summer and a warm and wet winter. The hot season lasts from April to October, with average daytime temperatures of about 40°C (104°F). The winter, from November to March, is more pleasant, with temperatures ranging between 10°C and 20°C (50°F and 68°F).

Bahrain's climate

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago located in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The country's climate is arid, and most of its territory is desert. There are two distinct seasons in Bahrain: an extremely hot summer and a warm, wet winter.

The hot season lasts from April to October, with average daytime temperatures reaching about 40 °C (104 °F). During the summer months, temperatures can climb even higher, reaching 46 °C (114.8 °F) in May, June, and July. The combination of intense heat and high humidity makes this season particularly uncomfortable. The hot, dry southwest wind, known as the qaws, also contributes to the harsh conditions by periodically blowing sand clouds across the country.

The winter season in Bahrain is relatively mild, with temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 20 °C (50 °F to 68 °F). While it is never truly cold in Bahrain, the winter months bring higher humidity, with levels occasionally rising above 90%. The shamal winds, which blow from December to March, bring damp air over the islands, leading to the rainy season. However, even during the rainy season, the frequency of wet days remains low, ranging from 0% to 7%. The winter rains tend to fall in brief, torrential downpours, flooding the shallow wadis and causing transportation disruptions.

Overall, Bahrain experiences a significant amount of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of over 3500 hours of sunshine annually. The climate in Bahrain can be summarised as having nine months with average temperatures exceeding 25 °C, making it a popular destination for those seeking hot weather. The best time for travelling to Bahrain to take advantage of the warm season is from November to March, avoiding the intense heat of the summer months.

Seasons in Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain is located in the Gulf of Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf, off the north shore of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and 33 other islands. The climate of Bahrain is arid, and most of its territory is desert.

There are two seasons in Bahrain: an extremely hot summer and a warm, wet winter. The hot season lasts from April to October, with average daytime temperatures of about 40°C (104°F). The temperature can reach as high as 46°C (114.8°F) in May, June, and July. The combination of intense heat and high humidity makes this season very uncomfortable.

In contrast, the winter months, from November to March, are much cooler, with temperatures ranging between 10°C and 20°C (50°F and 68°F). The humidity during this season often rises above 90%. While it never gets very cold in Bahrain, January is the coldest month of the year and also the month with the highest amount of precipitation.

Bahrain receives little precipitation throughout the year, with an average of only 72 millimeters (2.8 inches) of rainfall. Most of this falls during the winter season, and even then, it tends to come in brief, torrential downpours.

The transition months of March and October have their own unique characteristics. In March, the temperature starts to rise towards the extreme levels of summer, with daytime temperatures between 23°C and 29°C (73°F and 84°F). This month also marks the end of the shamal winds, which bring humid air masses over the archipelago, making the following months drier. October, on the other hand, experiences a gradual increase in humidity but still remains dry, with no rainfall.

Summer in Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago in the Gulf of Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf. The climate is arid, and most of its territory is desert. As a result, Bahrain experiences two seasons: an extremely hot summer and a warm, wet winter. Summer in Bahrain lasts from April to October, with average daytime temperatures of about 40 °C (104 °F). However, temperatures can reach as high as 46 °C (114.8 °F) during May, June, and July.

The summer months in Bahrain are characterised by intense heat and high humidity, making this season particularly uncomfortable. The combination of high temperatures and humidity means that travellers should take care when venturing outdoors, as the sun shines for up to 14 hours per day. The UV index is also extremely high during this time, so sunscreen and protective clothing are essential. The hot, dry southwest wind, known locally as the qaws, periodically blows sand clouds across the southern end of Bahrain toward Manama, adding to the challenging summer conditions.

The summer season in Bahrain sees very little precipitation, with an average annual rainfall of only 72 mm (2.8 inches). Overcast days are rare, and the sun shines brightly for most of the season. The length of the day gradually decreases over the summer, with the shortest day being August 31, with 12 hours and 40 minutes of daylight.

The summer months are also known for their muggy conditions, with the chance of a muggy day increasing from 72% to 97% over the season. The highest chance of a muggy day occurs on August 19, with a 98% probability.

Overall, summer in Bahrain is extremely hot and dry, with temperatures that can be uncomfortable for those who are not accustomed to such weather. The combination of high temperatures, intense sunlight, and humidity means that travellers should take appropriate precautions when visiting during this season.

Winter in Bahrain

Bahrain is an archipelago in Western Asia, consisting of Bahrain Island and 33 other islands in the Gulf of Bahrain, off the coast of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The country experiences arid and desert-like conditions for most of the year, with two distinct seasons: an extremely hot summer and a warm, wet winter.

The winter in Bahrain is relatively mild, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F-68°F). The winter months are from November to March, with the coldest month being January, when the temperature can drop to 14°C (57°F). The winter season sees the most precipitation in Bahrain, with an average annual rainfall of 72mm (2.8 inches), usually confined to these months. The rains tend to fall in brief, torrential downpours, flooding the dry wadis and causing transportation issues. The high humidity, which can rise above 90%, also brings damp air over the islands during this period.

The winter months are a good time to visit Bahrain for sightseeing and cultural activities, rather than a seaside vacation, as the sea temperature drops to around 18.5°C (65°F) in January. The winter season is a welcome change from the extremely hot summer months, when temperatures average 40°C (104°F) and can reach as high as 46°C (114.8°F).

While Bahrain does not have distinct seasons like some other countries, the winter months bring a much-needed respite from the heat, with cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall. This period also sees an increase in humidity, which can make the cooler temperatures feel more intense, especially in closed spaces. Overall, winter in Bahrain is a relatively short season, lasting for just a few months, with temperatures that are considered mild compared to the extreme heat of summer.

Spring and autumn in Bahrain

Spring in Bahrain

In March, Bahrain experiences average temperatures of 25°C (77°F) during the day and 17°C (62°F) at night. This is the last month of the shamal winds, which bring humid air over the archipelago. There is usually one rainy day in March, with an average precipitation of 10mm (0.4 inches).

In April, the average daytime temperature rises to 30°C (86°F), with a minimum average of 21°C (70°F). There are no rainy days in April, and precipitation is just 7mm (0.3 inches).

By May, the average daytime temperature is 34°C (93°F), with a minimum of 25°C (78°F). There are 13 hours of sunshine per day, and precipitation is minimal at 1mm (0.04 inches).

Autumn in Bahrain

September is similar to summer, with average daytime temperatures of 36°C (97°F) and a minimum of 28°C (82°F). There is no rain, and the sea temperature is 33°C (91°F).

In October, the average daytime temperature drops to 32.5°C (91°F), with a minimum of 25°C (77°F). Humidity gradually increases, but there is still no rain.

By November, the average daytime temperature is 28°C (83°F), falling to a minimum of 20.5°C (69°F) at night. There are two rainy days in November, with an average precipitation of 25mm (1 inch).

Frequently asked questions