Monthly Weather Summary - April 2014

The month of April 2014 goes on record as the hottest April ever experienced in Bahrain since 1902.

The mean temperature of the month was 27.4°C. This is 2.4°C above the long-term normal. This goes on record as the highest mean monthly temperature for April. This is same as April 2000.

The mean maximum temperature of the month was 31.6°C. This goes on record as the fifth highest mean maximum temperature for April since 1946 and exceeded by April 2000 which was 33.1°C, April 2001 which was 32.5°C, April 2003 which was 31.8°C and April 1999 which was 31.7°C.

The maximum temperatures were above normal during the month except in some days. The highest temperature recorded in the month was 37.4°C set on the 18th April due to the warm northerly winds which were dominated during that morning. During the month Bahrain had 8 days with maximum temperature which reached 35°C or more.

The mean minimum temperature of the month was 23.9°C. This goes on record as the second highest mean minimum temperature for April since 1946 and only exceeded by April 2010 which was 24.1°C. The minimum temperatures were also above normal during the month except in some days. The lowest temperature record was 18.7°C set on the 7th April.

The mean relative humidity for March was 48%. This goes on record as the third lowest mean monthly relative humidity for April since 1955 and exceeded by April 2012 which was 44% and April 2013 which was 46%.

The mean maximum relative humidity for the month was 69%. This goes on record as the third lowest mean monthly maximum relative humidity for April since 1955 and exceeded by April 2012 and 2013 which was 64% and April 2010 which was 67%.

The mean minimum relative humidity of the month was 29%. This goes on record as the third lowest mean monthly minimum relative humidity for April since 1955 and exceeded by April 2012 which was 25% and April 2013 which was 26%.

April 2014 was the sunniest month for all April’s since the sunshine records began in 1968. The total hour of sunshine for the month was 312.3 hours. The old record was 311.7 hours which was recorded in April 1999.

Thunderstorms were reported at the airport on the 2nd. The daily rainfall was 0.5 mm fell in association with thunderstorms at the airport.

The highest gust recorded was 47 knots on that day. Only 0.5 mm of rain was reported on April 2014. Trace amounts reported on 30th April at the airport.

Note that the long-term mean total precipitation for April is 10.0 mm and the highest total of rainfall ever recorded for April was 69.9 mm which occurred on April 1961.

Dust storm affected the kingdom on the 30th. Visibility dropped to 1000 meters at the airport. But reduce to less than 1000 meters in some areas around Bahrain. Gust reached 46 knots at the airport. Thundery showers followed the dust storm.

Rain showers were reported in some areas around Bahrain. This kind of unsettled weather conditions which normally occur at this time of the year locally known as (Al-sarrayat) which extends up to mid-May due to fast movements of cold upper troughs from Mediterranean towards the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf which produce thunderstorms and gusty winds over the area.

Fog affected the kingdom on the 22nd April reducing the visibility to 500 meters at the airport. This weather condition not occur since April 1999.