Citizens and residents have been urged to protect their extremities and adjust their diets as temperatures dipped across Bahrain yesterday.
The country is expected to experience cold weather and strong winds throughout the weekend, with a small chance of scattered showers tomorrow and Sunday, according to the weather bulletin by the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry.
“With the current cold, windy, and dry weather due to the Northerly or Shamal winds, the ‘feels like’ temperature can be significantly lower than the thermometer reading,” environmental and biological studies researcher Dr Waheeb Alnasser said.
“For instance, a 15C day can feel as cold as 2C. In these conditions, you should avoid wearing excessively thick and heavy layers. Once you move indoors to a warmer environment, you may feel as though it is 25C, causing you to sweat and become uncomfortable,” he added.
Bahrain experienced a cold and partly cloudy day yesterday, with temperatures ranging between 10C overnight and a daytime high of 18C. Northwesterly Shamal winds blew at 15 to 20 knots, with gusts reaching 25 knots in some areas, prompting a formal warning for strong winds. It also caused rising sand in certain locations, reducing visibility at times. Dr Alnasser warned of ‘wind chill’ where moving air strips heat away from the body more rapidly, particularly when humidity levels are low. Instead of wearing heavy woollen shirts or pants, which can get uncomfortable indoors, Dr Alnasser recommended focusing on insulating the body’s extremities which lose heat the fastest.
Dr Alnasser
“The fingers, toes, ears and nose are usually the first to feel cold,” he added.
“They have a high surface area compared to their volume, so they release heat quickly, while the body prioritises keeping the core warm.”
Fluffy cotton socks, cotton gloves, and soft hats or ear covers can be effective, affordable and easy to remove when no longer needed while being comfortable without overheating. Dr Alnasser also advised residents to adjust their diet and hydration habits during colder weather, while noting that water intake requirements are lower than in summer due to less water being lost to evaporation. American Mission Hospital dietician Abigail Carolin David highlighted the importance of a well-balanced diet, with lots of warm, protein-rich meals to help sustain energy levels and body heat.
“Warm soups and beverages are perfect for this weather, of course, but the colder weather can make people hungrier than usual, so we recommend people watch their calorie intake,” she added.
“In addition, adding spices like ginger, parsley and cinnamon to our soups and diet in general, can help boost our immune system and reduce inflammation.”
Ms David
Ms David explained that many health issues people experience during this season arise from reduced physical activity. She recommended taking a brief walk or doing a light workout around sunset, when conditions are mild and comfortable.
“There are also resources online that can help people work out at home or indoors, including zumba or pilates,” she added.
Temperatures are expected to range between 10C and 19C today, with winds of seven to 12 knots. Humidity could range from 30 to 80 per cent.
Tomorrow, temperatures could increase, ranging between 12C and 22C, with a slight chance of rain and winds ranging from 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots in the evening.
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