Second hottest July in a century

Manama

The Meteorological Directorate at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication had reported in their monthly weather summary that July 2015 goes on record as the second hottest July ever experienced in Bahrain since 1902.

The mean temperature of the month was 35.8 Celcius. This is 1.9 C above the long-term normal for July. This goes on record as the second highest mean monthly temperature for July. This is same as July 2010 and only exceeded by July 2012, which was 36.0 C.

The mean maximum temperature of the month was 40.2 C. This goes on record as the fifth highest mean maximum temperatures for July since 1946 and exceeded by July 2002 which was 41.4 C, July 2000 which was 41.3 C, July 2004 which was 40.8 C and July 1996, 2008 & 2012 which was 40.5 C.

The highest temperature recorded in the month was 45.8 C set on 29th July due to the warm southerly to southwesterly winds which was dominated during that morning. This goes on record as the sixth highest maximum temperature for July since 1946 and exceeded by 15th July 2000 and 13th July 2010 which was 47.4 C, 22nd July 2002 which was 46.5 C, 21st July 2001 and 26th July 2008 which was 46.2 C, 11th July 2007 which was 46.1 C and 12th July 2004 & 21st July 2011 which was 46.0 C.

During the month Bahrain had 16 days with maximum temperature exceeded 40 C. The mean minimum temperature of the month was 32.6 C. This goes on record as the second highest mean minimum temperature for July since 1946. This is same as July 2010 and only exceeded by July 2014, which was 32.7 C.

The lowest temperature recorded was 29.8 C set on the 4th July at Bahrain International Airport. The mean relative humidity for July was 49% and the mean maximum relative humidity for the month was 70%. The mean minimum relative humidity for July was 27%.

 Hot and humid weather affected the kingdom since 19th July until the end of the month due to collapse of Northwesterly winds which was persisted during the month June and the beginning of July and replaced by humid Easterly winds.

Shamal winds accounted 43% of the observation with gusts reached 33 knots on the 6th and 7th July at Bahrain International Airport and 28% the wind observed was prevailing from east to southeast direction. Dust haze reported on the 1st and 2nd July. Visibility dropped to 2000 meters at Bahrain Interna