LAST month scorched its way into the record books as the hottest May experienced in Bahrain in more than a century.
The mean temperature for the month was 33.5C – which is 2.4C above the long-term normal for May.
The previous record was 32.8C registered in May 2012, said the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry’s Meteorological Directorate.
“The mean maximum temperature of the month (May) was 38.9C, which is 2.8C above the long-term normal and this goes on record as the highest mean maximum temperature for May since 1946.
“The old record was 37.9C recorded in May 2012.
“During the month, Bahrain had 10 days with maximum temperature exceeding 40C.”
The highest temperature recorded during the month was 45.7C on May 22 at Bahrain International Circuit, followed by 44.4C at Bahrain International Airport on May 25.
The mean minimum temperature of the month was 28.9C, which is 1.7C above the long-term normal. It goes on record as the third highest mean minimum temperature for May since 1946, exceeded only in May 2012 with a record of 29.1C and May 2017 with 29C.
Last month was also the sunniest May since sunshine records began in 1968.
The total sunshine hours for the month were 370.4 with the old record being 356.8 in May 2014.
“The mean relative humidity for May was 37per cent, whereas the mean maximum was 62pc and the mean minimum 16pc,” added the report.
“The maximum relative humidity was 80pc which was recorded on May 1 while the minimum of 8pc was witnessed on May 16, 18 and 22.
“Trace amounts of precipitation were recorded on May 2 and 3 at Bahrain International Airport.
“The long-term mean total precipitation for May is 0.5mm and the highest monthly rainfall ever recorded during May at Bahrain International Airport was 12.7mm in 1907.”
April had also gone on record as the warmest in Bahrain since 1902 with the mean temperature recorded at 27.7C, which was 1.7C above the long-term normal.
&uuid=(email))