October wetter, warmer

October was warmer than normal with above-average precipitation, despite the weather remaining unsettled with thunderstorms for over 6 days, latest met data shows. The data by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications’ Meteorological Directorate said that the month was wet with 3 rainy days, accumulating 19.9 mm of precipitation at Bahrain International Airport (BIA). This goes on record as the highest monthly total Precipitation for October at BIA since 1902 and 40 times more than the long-term normal for October which is 0.5 mm, according to the monthly weather summary.

The highest day with precipitation was 11.6 mm fell on October 22 at BIA. This goes on record as the highest daily total of Precipitation since 1948. The old record was 8.9 mm on 31 October 1969. Another amount of 3.3 mm fell on the 27th and 5.0 mm fell on October 28 to make the total monthly amount 19.9 mm at BIA. Trace amounts also recorded on October 20-21. Thunderstorms occurred on 6 days. Heavy rain showers associated with thunderstorm & strong gusts affected the kingdom on October 22.

This unsettled weather occurred due to series of upper troughs passed towards the Arabian Gulf and gust reached 39 knots with the visibility dropped that day to 800 meters at BIA. A total precipitation of 19.0 mm fall at Sitra Island with gust reached 43 knots and a total precipitation of 2.4 mm fall at King Fahd Causeway with gust reached 44 knots were recorded on October 22. The total monthly precipitation recorded for October 2018 at Sitra Island was 55.4 mm whereas the total precipitation at Durrat Al Bahrain was 20.8 mm and at King Fahd Causeway was 14.4 mm.

Bahrain had been affected by light rain in some areas on October 14, 17-18. The mean temperature of the month was 30.9°C which is 1.7°C above the long-term normal and this goes on record as the third highest mean temperatures for the month of October since 1902 and exceeded by October 2015 with a record of 31.7°C and October 2017 with a record of 31.1°C. The mean maximum temperature of the month was 34.1°C which is 1.0°C above the longterm normal.

The highest temperature recorded during the month was 39.1°C which occurred on October 1 of at BIA but recorded 40.2°C on the same day at Durrat Al Bahrain The mean minimum temperature of the month was 27.9°C which is 2.4°C above the longterm normal and this goes on record as the third highest mean minimum temperatures for the month of October since 1946 and exceeded by October 2015 with a record of 28.9°C and October 2014 with a record of 28.2°C. The lowest temperature recorded was 22.2°C set on October 27 at BIA but recorded 19.6°C on October 30 at Durrat Al Bahrain.

The mean relative humidity for October was 59 per cent whereas the mean maximum relative humidity was 73 per cent and the mean minimum relative humidity was 42 per cent. The prevailing wind was 22 per cent from east direction. Northwesterly winds accounted for 19 per cent of the observation with gusts reaching 45 knots on October 27 at BIA and this goes on record as the highest maximum wind gust speed for October since 1974. The old record was 44 knots set on October 16, 1974. Also, gusts reaching 45 knots on October 27 at King Fahd Causeway.