Last month was ‘third hottest July’ since 1902

The Meteorological Directorate (BMD) yesterday reported that the month of July 2019 goes on record as the third hottest July ever experienced in Bahrain since 1902.  Average (mean) temperature for the month was 36.0 C which is 2.1 C above the long-term normal and this goes on record as the third highest mean temperatures for the month of July since 1902.

This is same as July 2012 and 2016 and exceeded by July 2017 with a record of 36.9 C and July 2018 with a record of 36.2 C, the statement said. The mean maximum temperature of the month was 39.5 C, which is 1.5 C above the longterm normal. During the month Bahrain had 12 days with maximum temperature exceeding 40 C.

Highest temperature recorded during the month was 43.0 C which occurred on the 30th July at Bahrain International Airport. The highest temperature recorded in the month of July at Durrat Al Bahrain was 47.4 C on the 7th July and at Bahrain International Circuit was 46.8 C in the same day.

The mean minimum temperature of the month was 33.1 C which is 2.7 C above the longterm normal and this goes on record as the second highest mean minimum temperatures for the month of July since 1946 and only exceeded by July 2016 with a record of 33.2 C. Lowest temperature recorded was 31.1 C set on the 3rd and 20th July at Bahrain International Airport. 

Mean relative humidity for July was 47 per cent whereas the mean maximum relative humidity was 66pc and the mean minimum relative humidity was 30pc. July 2019 was the third sunniest July since the sunshine records began in 1968 whereby the monthly total hour of sunshine recorded was 370.6 hours and exceeded by July 1974 with a record of 377.8 hours and July 2014 with a record of 376.0 hours.

The Northwesterly winds accounted 43pc with gusts reaching 31 knots on the 5th July at Bahrain International Airport but reached 36 knots the same day at Durrat Al Bahrain, the statement added.