Doha residents: Stay out of the sun as much as possible over the next two days as temperatures are expected to rise an extra 3 to 6 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit), the Qatar Meteorology Department has said.

A “marked increase in temperature” means the mercury will hit 46C (115F) to 49C (120F), the MET said. 

That comes close to the 49.1C recorded in June 2010, on the hottest day Qatar has survived in the past 50 years.

The heat comes at a time when two of Qatar’s largest and well air-conditioned malls are out of commission – Villaggio, closed for repairs following last month’s deadly fire, and City Center, which was shut on Friday for violating safety standards.

It also comes just as outdoor laborers are granted their annual summer respite from working between 11:30am to 3pm – when the sun is at its hottest.

Here’s the MET’s warning:

The Department of Meteorology calls upon the citizens, residents and all concerned authorities to take caution during the work under the direct rays of the sun and take the necessary action to maintain safety from any damages arising from exposure to extreme heat during this period.

If you do venture out, we suggest drinking a lot of water to avoid dehydration, which is common this time of the year.

How do you plan to beat the heat over the next few days?

Credit: Photo by Lubaib