A cool winter with strong thermal amplitudes
In winter, temperatures hover around 24°C during the day, but drop to 13°C at night in the city, and as low as 8°C in the desert. Daylight lasts only around 10 hours. If you're going to bivouac in a Bedouin tent in the dunes, remember to pack warm clothes. Even in town, you'll need to wear a coat in the evening and closed-toe shoes. As for rainfall, very rare showers occur from December to March, never exceeding 18 mm per month. A drop of water in a world of sand.
A scorching summer deserted by its inhabitants
The hot, humid months of July and August see the mercury flirt with 41°C during the day, and even 50°C in the heart of the desert furnace. It only drops to around 29°C at night, which is always hot and very humid, as the air never cools down. During the day, the sea temperature rises to 37°C (compared with 21°C in winter) and loses all its refreshing virtue, even drying out bathers immediately, as salt adds to the heatwave. The country then lives in slow motion, cloistered in polar-air-conditioned houses and malls. This is the season chosen by expatriates to return for a vacation in more moderate temperatures, but also by Qataris, who like to travel outside the country. Most schools close between 10 and 12 weeks during the vacations, which is understandable given the climatic conditions. Whatever the season, make sure you bring a sweater to keep out the sometimes very cold air-conditioning in malls, museums and even hotels and restaurants, so you don't catch a cold.
Spring and autumn, ideal periods
The shoulder seasons, October-November and March-April, are the most pleasant periods, much less sweltering than summer and very mild in the evenings (around 26°C on average). These figures vary somewhat in desert areas, where the day-night differential is always more marked. This is the best time to visit Doha in the evening, when families enjoy dhow rides and picnics in public parks. In early autumn, the temperature doesn't really drop and humidity levels are still very high - around 60-70% - while the thermometer gradually drops by 10°C per month. Rain is almost non-existent in this season, but recent wind and hail storms have surprised meteorologists. Spring is undoubtedly the most pleasant, as the last precipitation of the cooler season - between 2.5 and 13 mm - falls between March and May. Hardly anything in fact, but enough to refresh an air still unsaturated with humidity, while the sun shines for a long time, between 11.5 and 13.5 hours a day.
Impressive sandstorms
Doha's skyline, illuminated with color at night, is less pretty during the day, as ambient dust and heat persistently blur the horizon. Sand-laden winds blow all year round for several days, accentuating the phenomenon, but you can also be surprised by a massive sandstorm predicted by the weather radars. Not just a sirocco wind that sprinkles sand over your car, but a real sand and dust storm that puts doctors, marine meteorologists and emergency services on alert. Even the airport can come to a standstill. Going outdoors is not recommended, as visibility is greatly reduced, respiratory capacity is impaired and, for some, sand can even trigger respiratory infections. You should also avoid rubbing your eyes, which are prone to infection, and keep your windows closed when driving.
