Expect Qatar to heat up this week, starting with a spike in temperatures today, the Meteorology Department has said.

After days of mild, cool weather, the thermostat is expected to reach 36C (97F) this afternoon, a 4 to 6 degree increase from earlier this week.

The MET attributes the sudden rise to a low pressure system and strong winds. The one-two punch is expected to last until Friday.

It may be joined by scattered rains and possible thunderstorms tomorrow night, but normalize by Saturday, the MET said.