The climate of Bahrain
Bahrain, an archipelago of 33 islands, sits in the Persian Gulf off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The island country is relatively flat, with the highest point being just 134 meters above sea level. The geographical position of Bahrain in the subtropical arid zone leads to its desert climate, as indicated by its Köppen Climate Classification subtype "BWh". Throughout the year, the weather in Bahrain is typically hot and dry, with very little annual rainfall.
On average, the country experiences temperatures between 15°C (59°F) to 40°C (104°F), with the warmest months being
June through
September. The amount of rainfall is quite limited, with annual precipitation typically less than 80mm (3.15"), falling mainly from
November to
March. The humidity in Bahrain can be quite high, particularly in the coastal regions, exacerbating the impact of high temperatures. While winds typically average 10km/h (6.2mph), stronger shamal winds blowing from the north-west are frequent during summer, and can significantly increase temperatures.
The best time to visit Bahrain
Given the extreme heat and humidity during the summer months, the best time to visit
Bahrain is between
November and
March. During these months, temperatures range from 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F), offering a more comfortable climate for outdoor activities. Moreover, this is the period when Bahrain receives most of its rainfall, adding a little freshness to the otherwise arid environment. However, visitors should be prepared for occasional sandstorms, a common weather phenomenon in this region during the cooler months.
The worst time to visit Bahrain
Bahrain experiences extreme heat from
June to
September, when temperatures often soar to 40°C (104°F) or even higher. This is coupled with high humidity, particularly in the coastal areas, making this period quite uncomfortable for visitors not accustomed to such extreme heat. In addition, the shamal winds can cause severe dust storms during these months. Therefore, for the sake of comfort and safety, these months are generally considered the worst time to visit Bahrain.
Spring weather in Bahrain
In
Bahrain, spring falls between
March and
May, characterized by rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall. Temperatures begin to climb, ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 35°C (95°F). Despite the increasing heat, this season sees less humidity than the summer months. Rainfall during this period is infrequent, and the winds remain moderate. The springtime in Bahrain also offers beautiful blooms in the desert, which can be a unique experience for visitors.
Summer weather in Bahrain
Summer in
Bahrain, which extends from
June to
September, is extremely hot and dry. Temperatures commonly reach 40°C (104°F) and can even exceed this on the hottest days. The combination of extreme heat and high humidity, especially in coastal areas, can be quite oppressive. Additionally, the shamal winds can cause severe dust storms, reducing visibility and further complicating conditions.
Autumn weather in Bahrain
Autumn in
Bahrain, occurring from
October to
November, sees a gradual drop in temperatures from the extreme heat of the summer months. Temperatures during these months generally range from 25°C (77°F) to 35°C (95°F). Rainfall remains low during the early part of autumn, but starts to increase towards the end of November. The humidity also starts to decrease, making the climate more pleasant for outdoor activities.
Winter weather in Bahrain
Winter in
Bahrain, from
December to
February, offers the coolest temperatures, ranging from 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F). This period also marks the highest rainfall of the year, although it remains quite low at less than 80mm (3.15") in total. Despite being the coldest part of the year, the winter in Bahrain is still relatively mild. Visitors during this time can enjoy outdoor activities without the oppressive heat or extreme weather events found in other parts of the year.
Weather in January
January is the coldest month in
Bahrain, a stark contrast to the heat experienced throughout most of the year. During this month, temperatures typically range from 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F). With its coastal position, Manama, the capital city, experiences similar temperatures as the rest of the country, with no significant difference in climate. Despite January being the coldest month, the temperatures are still relatively mild when compared to many other regions worldwide.
Weather in January » Weather in February
In
Bahrain,
February continues the mild winter season, with temperatures slightly increasing compared to
January. The temperatures during February typically range from 17°C (62.6°F) to 22°C (71.6°F). Cities like Manama and Riffa observe similar temperatures due to the small size and geographical homogeneity of the country. February still falls within the rainy season, albeit the tail end, with precipitation slightly lower than in January.
Weather in February »Weather in March
As
Bahrain transitions into spring in
March, there is a noticeable change in the weather. Temperatures begin to climb, ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 27°C (80.6°F). Manama and other cities across the country experience similar weather conditions due to Bahrain's relatively small size and lack of geographical diversity. March sees a significant decrease in rainfall, marking the end of the short-lived rainy season.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
In
April,
Bahrain fully embraces spring and the weather begins to heat up significantly. Temperatures during this month typically range from 24°C (75.2°F) to 32°C (89.6°F). The country's small size and uniform topography mean that weather conditions in Manama and other areas like Muharraq and Riffa are virtually identical. April is characteristically dry in Bahrain, with almost no rainfall recorded.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May in
Bahrain marks the onset of summer with a significant leap in temperatures. During this month, temperatures typically range from 29°C (84.2°F) to 37°C (98.6°F). The weather conditions in Manama, Riffa, and other regions across Bahrain are quite similar due to the country's uniform geographical features. Rainfall in May is virtually non-existent, reflecting the arid desert climate typical of Bahrain.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June in
Bahrain represents the full onset of the harsh summer season. The country experiences high temperatures that typically range from 31°C (87.8°F) to 41°C (105.8°F). The uniformity of Bahrain's topography means that cities such as Manama, Riffa, and others across the archipelago experience similar heat levels. During June, rainfall in Bahrain is extremely rare, reflecting the intense arid conditions of the country's desert climate.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July is one of the hottest months in
Bahrain, with extreme temperatures typical of the country's harsh summer season. Average temperatures during this month typically range from 34°C (93.2°F) to 42°C (107.6°F). This intense heat is felt uniformly across Bahrain, affecting all regions from the capital city of Manama to other locations such as Riffa and Muharraq. Precipitation in July is practically non-existent, underscoring the extreme aridity of Bahrain's desert climate during the peak summer months.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August in
Bahrain continues the trend of high summer heat, matching
July in terms of average temperatures. The country experiences temperatures typically ranging from 34°C (93.2°F) to 42°C (107.6°F) during this month. This intense heat is widespread across the nation, affecting all regions including Manama, Riffa, and Muharraq. Much like the preceding summer months, rainfall in August is essentially non-existent.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September marks the beginning of the end of
Bahrain's extreme summer season. Despite this, the country still experiences significant heat, with temperatures typically ranging from 32°C (89.6°F) to 39°C (102.2°F). As with the previous months, these weather conditions are consistent across Bahrain, including in cities like Manama, Riffa, and Muharraq due to the country's uniform topography. Rainfall in September is still quite rare, maintaining the arid conditions that are characteristic of Bahrain's desert climate.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in
Bahrain signals the arrival of autumn and the departure from the intense summer heat. During this month, temperatures typically range from 29°C (84.2°F) to 36°C (96.8°F), offering a much-needed respite from the extreme temperatures of the preceding months.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November in
Bahrain signals the onset of the short rainy season and the continuation of the mild autumn temperatures. The average temperatures during this month typically range from 25°C (77°F) to 31°C (87.8°F), offering a comfortable climate in comparison to the extreme summer heat.
Weather in November » Weather in December
December in
Bahrain marks the onset of winter and is characterised by the coolest temperatures of the year and the peak of the short rainy season. During this month, temperatures typically range from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F).
Weather in December » [Resources]