Updated at 11:30am on June 12 with more information.
In the coming days, the Qatar Meteorology Department has forecast that temperatures across the country will reach highs between 44C (111F) and 49C (120F) by noontime, the highest the nation has seen during the month of June in almost 52 years.
The rising temperatures have been attributed to the “deepening of the Indian Monsoon” over the Gulf coast.
In a statement, the MET said that 49C weather during this month is relatively unusual:
“Climatologically, the highest temperature recorded during June over the past 52 years is 49 degree Celsius that occurred in Doha in 2010. This extension of the Indian Monsoon Low will also push Northwesterly winds over the coast of Gulf knows as ‘Bawarh.'”
Real feel
On Twitter, residents in Qatar have been reporting that the “real feel” outdoors is much higher than 49C, with cars logging temperatures of 52C (126F) or more.
In the 20 years I've spent in Qatar – it's never been this hot. It's like an oven out there!
— Ola Diab (@diab_ola) June 10, 2014
@dohanews new temperature record #doha 52 C°. pic.twitter.com/5jGyBqWo1W
— H. M. Al-Sherif (@HamedAlSherif) June 11, 2014
According to Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist at Al Jazeera English, the last time Qatar officially saw 50C heat was July 14, 2010.
She said cars clock higher-than-actual temperatures because of the heat from the engine and the heat radiating off the roads.
Speaking to Doha News, she added:
“We have strict standards about measuring temperatures. It has to be taken in a standard box, known as a Stevenson Screen, which is 1.25m off the ground, with slated sides to let the air flow through.”
Meanwhile, the midday summer work ban – which limits outdoor working hours for Qatar employees – will still not come into effect until Sunday, June 15.
Though they are not yet legally required to do so, some companies are already keeping their workers indoors during the peak afternoon hours. However, many construction workers could still be seen standing outdoors this week in the furnace-like conditions.
It's 50 degrees today and workers are still outside! Make their day, hand out water. #WhatIWillDo pic.twitter.com/QY62gUF9Yj
— SeeMyCulture (@seemyculture) June 10, 2014
https://twitter.com/idosarif/status/476463053555265536
The upside is that forecasters are also warning of increasing wind speeds toward the end of the week. According to Weather.com, this will cause temperatures to drop to a cool 41C (106F) by the weekend.
However, high wind speeds also mean decreasing visibility due to dusty conditions. The MET has asked residents are asked to take “adequate precautions,” presumably meaning to stay indoors during the hottest afternoon hours and observe measures protect oneself against swirling dust.
Thoughts?
”this will cause temperatures to drop to a cool 41C…”
i wonder what is hot then? 75C?
how come official sources don’t report it? If temperature reaches 50C aren’t people supposed not to go to work?
for that very reason!!
That is why the report says they will reach a high of 49C
Spoke to Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist at Al Jazeera English, about this. She said she’s only seen 50C weather once here since moving to Doha seven years ago. And she mentioned it on AJE and wrote about it for Gulf Times when it happened.
In the shade?!
1. Official sources state the temperature in a specific place in the shade.
2. No. But no work under the sun if it’s that hot.
As Osama says, works in direct sunlight must cease at temps of 50C. Works inside structures may carry on. This is the same with the Summer Time work ban – only works in direct sunlight must cease. Works like building fit out etc., may continue – that’s my understanding of the Labour Law.
And all temperature reported anywhere in the world is dry, shade temperature to be a record of the ambient air temperature. For direct sun temp add anywhere between about 5 and 8 to 10C. If the humidity exceeds 40% you can add a few more degrees to get the ‘feels like’ apparent temperature.
Some of those instruments seem to be ceiled at 49…
At 2.30 yesterday afternoon driving near Westbay..
A
I wish the schools closed soon as my kids are coming home with their nose bleeding and eyes are red in colour. They come home tired like a log and sleep till the next day which doesn’t give them time to study.
Maybe the’ve been fighting and not heat related Susan?……….
Have figured it out. Sit at a red light closely surrounded by other hot vehicles (preferably large). The closer you can get to them the more heat you can retain. Make sure you are in direct sunlight – preferably facing the sun. Mid-afternoon is most suitable when the sun is starting to drop. Make sure the car immediately in front of you is small enough that you sit in direct sunlight. Let the cars in front move away from the intersection to give you some clear space. Accelerate smoothly and consistently from the intersection. As you move forward the hot wind should really get your thermometer up. This method managed to get my car thermometer up to 54° C today though no photo is available as it would just be silly to take a photograph while accelerating. If you really want a photo have someone else take it. If you really want to go one step further do this in a convertible – wearing ski gear.
Option B is open hood of the car. Find the thermometer. Point hair dryer at it (blow torch even better). Have someone take photo.
” a cool 41C”? Do I detect a hint of sarcasm, DohaNews? : ) Bet you never thought you’d write that..I myself can hardly believe I just read it
Weather stories typically lend to a less formal writing style. I couldn’t help myself – and honestly, 41C after days of 49C weather IS going to feel cool in comparison!
I won’t even swim unless it is over 40°C. BTW – where is your degree symbol? Are we anti-scientific notation?
49 degrees in June. Game of football anyone??
Why not several?
Can’t change the weather unfortunately – I think the ban on working outside during the very hot hours of the day comes into effect later this month – given the early summer however, perhaps this should be brought forward – let the thousands of guys working outside go and have a kip under a palm tree during these especially hot hours – and give them lots of water. I worry for these poor guys during Ramadan – working in that heat with nothing to drink – could be very dangerous. Is there an exception made for them or not?
taken by @tosulaiti
You win.
If all this health and safety officers this construction companies have on their payroll cannot advise and recommend to this companies that it is not advisable or that it is unsafe and dangerous to expose the workers to such harsh and hot working conditions then there must be certainly something wrong somewhere with this organizations. Well in most companies the HSE departments are more of a eyewash and like a salad dressing to make the organizations appear better then they actually are
Hmm, Qatar in “it’s hot in the summer” shocker…
Just keep an eye out for your fellow man / woman and especially kids in this temperature…..not everyone handles heat the same.
No only the construction workers are at risk. Will the summertime ban apply to the Hiwash guys at the malls. They are out in this heat all day long. Coming back to my car yesterday I noticed one of the guys stumble and sway as he came towards me. I talked to him and then gave him money for water and snacks. Was kicking myself later as I suddenly thought – are they even allowed to go into the shopping mall to buy things like water etc if they run out?
Wish I had just gone into C4 and bought the water for him.