Summer in Bahrain brings a mix of excitement and challenges for many locals. With long, sunny days and school holidays, there is much to enjoy. However, the intense heat poses a test of physical and mental endurance that can be quite taxing. This year, the summer season is predicted to be even more challenging, with temperatures reaching record highs even before the official start of summer. As the sun reaches its pinnacle, marking the beginning of astronomical summer, Bahrainis brace themselves for extreme weather conditions that will push their resilience to the limit.
The recent days leading up to the official start of summer have already seen a significant rise in temperatures in Bahrain. With the mercury soaring to 46 degrees Celsius (114 F), exceeding the forecasts of weather websites, the heatwave has been relentless. Coupled with increasing humidity levels, which surpassed 80%, the conditions have been tough for residents. The forecast predicts even higher temperatures and humidity levels in the coming days, with Sunday’s high expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius.
Astronomy researcher Mohammed Redha Al-Asfour shed light on the significance of the summer solstice, which marks the astronomical peak of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest day and shortest night of the year, with daylight hours starting to gradually decrease. In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere marks the peak of winter with the shortest day and longest night. This shift in daylight hours and seasons is due to the Earth’s axial tilt of 23.5 degrees, causing the sun’s rays to be angled over specific regions such as the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn.
On the first day of summer in Bahrain, the sun rises at 4:45 a.m. from the farthest point of the northeast and sets at 6:32 p.m. from the farthest point of the northwest. With midday occurring at 11:39 a.m., it marks the longest daylight period of 13 hours and 47 minutes, and the shortest nighttime period of 10 hours and 13 minutes of the year. This day also witnesses the shortest shadow of the year as the sun reaches its zenith at noon. In regions north of the Arctic Circle, the phenomenon of the “midnight sun” occurs, with 24 hours of sunlight daily during the summer solstice.
Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the winter solstice during this time, with areas south of the Antarctic Circle facing 24-hour night periods known as “polar nights.” As the Earth’s North Pole is inclined toward the sun, regions on the Tropic of Capricorn experience winter as the sun’s rays are angled away from them. The summer solstice signifies a shift in seasons and daylight hours, with longer days ahead in the Southern Hemisphere as the days start to gradually shorten in the Northern Hemisphere. Amidst these celestial events, Bahrainis prepare themselves for a summer that will test their endurance and resilience in the face of extreme heat and humidity.
