The weather in Doha changes from hot to extremely hot all year round. If you’re lucky enough to experience rain, you’re in for a treat, as it only happens twice a year. However, things are not that simple, otherwise this article wouldn’t exist. I will tell you about the seasons, the temperature in Qatar by month, and when the best time to visit is. There will be plenty of tips and recommendations.
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Qatar without these websites
Table of Contents
Weather in Qatar: General Information
Let’s start with some general information so that you can get an accurate picture of the season and weather in Qatar.
- Qatar is a very small country, literally 100 by 200 km in size. It is located on the Arabian Peninsula, on the coast of the Persian Gulf.
- In the article “Qatar on the Map of the World“, you can learn more about its neighbors, borders, population, and find a lot of useful information.
- Doha is the capital and largest city in Qatar, with approximately 50% of the country’s population residing there. When I talk about the weather in Doha or weather in Qatar, I mean the same thing. The country is small, and the weather is the same throughout all of its parts, including the climate. There isn’t even a 1-degree difference between different parts of the country.
Interesting fact:
To help you better understand the climate and weather in Qatar throughout the year, you can compare it to the weather in the UAE, specifically in Dubai. This is the same region, and the climate is similar. Anyone who has been there already knows what to expect from Qatar.
When is the best season to visit Qatar?
The season here is year-round. You can get a nice tan and relax here in any month of the year, so you can buy a tour or tickets without even considering the weather. However, there are a few general things you should know. The country is not on the equator, which means that the weather in winter and summer is different.
- Qatar is in the northern hemisphere. This means that the weather is colder in winter than in summer. In this regard, everything is the same as with us.
- In the summer, the average temperature during the day is over 40 degrees Celsius in the shade. It’s not uncommon for it to be 45 or 47 degrees at noon. Everything melts. At this time, there is no one on the streets, and there are even fewer cars. It’s impossible to lie on the beach or swim, as the water is +33 and doesn’t cool you down. People come out of air-conditioned rooms closer to sunset.
- For more information about the water temperature in Doha and when it’s best to swim, check out the article “What Sea is in Qatar” You’ll find a detailed chart by month.
- During the day in Qatar, it’s comfortable with temperatures ranging from +20 to +25 degrees Celsius in winter. At night, the temperature drops to +10, and sometimes even down to +5 degrees. In the morning, when you step outside in Doha, it’s cool, and you might even want to wear a sweater. However, by 10 am, it’s already hot, even in February.
The season in Qatar is year-round
but it’s scorching hot in the summer, even for beachgoers. If you plan on lounging on the beach and swimming, the best time to visit is from September to December and April to June. During these months, the water is warm, and the air temperature is slightly below 40 degrees Celsius, which is just right. However, it’s very comfortable in Qatar during the winter – not hot, but just comfortable. This is the perfect time for sightseeing and sunbathing, as the sun shines here for 12 months a year. The only downside is that the water in the Gulf during winter is very cold, around 20 degrees Celsius.
Air temperature in Qatar by month
You know, there are resorts where the scorching sun shines all day, and in the morning of the next day, you go out into the street and still feel the warmth of the ground. In Qatar, this is felt less. As soon as the sun sets, the temperature drops instantly, sometimes by 10-15 degrees in an hour.
Interesting fact:
You’ve probably heard that in the desert, you can fry eggs on the sand during the day when the sun is out, and at night it can get close to zero degrees Celsius. This is because sand has a very high heat capacity and thermal conductivity. It accumulates heat very well, but at the same time, it releases it just as quickly. Our soil, black earth with grass, retains the heat it has accumulated during the day very well. But sand in the desert can lose tens of degrees in an hour.
Qatar is 90% desert, and the remaining 10% is Doha, which is built in the desert. That is why there can be significant temperature fluctuations during the day here.
| Month | Day temp., C | Temp. at night, C |
| January | 22.7 | 17.4 |
| February | 23.9 | 17.8 |
| March | 27.6 | 20.7 |
| April | 32.2 | 25.1 |
| May | 37.4 | 29.8 |
| June | 40.6 | 31.9 |
| July | 41.1 | 33.2 |
| August | 41.0 | 33.1 |
| September | 39.4 | 31.2 |
| October | 35.8 | 28.0 |
| November | 30.1 | 23.9 |
| December | 25.0 | 19.6 |
I want to draw your attention to the fact that these are average temperature in Qatar throughout the day and night, not maximum. This means that in the same August, it can reach over 41 degrees Celsius every day at noon, and in February, it can be around +10 to +13 at night almost every day.
How to dress in Qatar depending on the season
There are two things to keep in mind:
- You only need a sweater with you from December to February, and even then, only if you plan to walk in the morning before 10am and after sunset, as it can be quite chilly at that time. In all other months of the year, the less clothing the better. In July, it will be hot even at night.
- But on the other hand, don’t forget that the country is Muslim, and there are very strict rules, especially when it comes to women’s clothing. No one forces tourist girls to dress in a burqa, but there are three basic requirements for clothing: shoulders, knees, and elbows must be covered. It’s ideal if hair is covered with a scarf as well.
The article “Safety in Qatar for Tourists” provides details and examples of how tourists should dress in Qatar and what happens if these rules are violated (spoiler alert: nothing).
Even if it’s +45 outside, walking around with a bare stomach or mini skirt is considered an insult to local traditions. Respect them or stay home, preferably in your home country. But in general, trousers or a skirt that covers the knees, and a shirt that covers the shoulders are a good option.
You can only wear a bikini when swimming in Qatar at hotel beaches where package tourists relax. This is discussed in detail in the article “Beach Holidays in Doha, Beaches, Hotels, Features.” You cannot wear a bikini on a public beach.
Weather in Qatar: Rain
This is a short chapter, but I am often asked about it. In short, I don’t know what needs to happen for rain to ruin your entire vacation. On average, it rains in Qatar 2-3 times a year. If you happen to experience rain in Qatar, you are lucky. I can’t remember the last time it rained for two days in a row. The locals say it hasn’t happened in the last 15 years.
Important:
If you plan to go to the desert to see Qatar’s landmarks and it’s raining, keep in mind that there is a lot of clay soil there. The road is so washed out that even 4×4 jeeps can’t pass through.
Weather in Doha: Travel tips
As you might have guessed, the weather in Doha and Qatar is great all year round. It’s warm in the winter and very hot in the summer, with no clouds, winds, or rain. Cloudy days are extremely rare, and the sky is always blue, with at most a slight haze that doesn’t provide any protection from the sun.
Locals are accustomed to not going outside or driving during the day, so the streets are quite deserted in the heat. Even when the weather in Doha is comfortable in January and February, people still don’t go out. When asked where everyone is, locals reply that they don’t plan on changing their habits for just two months out of the year.
Interesting fact:
In 2022, Qatar hosted the World Cup in soccer. For the first time in history, the tournament was held in December, rather than in the summer as usual. All club championships around the world were suspended because of it. Can you guess why? The reason is the weather in Qatar during the summer. Playing soccer at 45 degrees Celsius is impossible, as players would pass out right on the field. It was held in the winter for medical reasons.
In conclusion, come to Qatar any time. There’s only one type of weather here: sunny. It’s a dry climate with no rain, fog, or freezing temperatures, and it’s never overcast. If you come in the summer, plan your day so that you don’t go outside from around 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the other hand, in the winter, this is the best time for walks and trips around the country.
The weather in Qatar is uniform and sometimes even boring in its predictability 🙂
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Qatar
- Flights at the best prices with discounts
- Car rental: DiscoverCars
- Hotels and apartments in Doha:
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- Travel insurance: EKTA
- Airport transfer: Intui
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo – eSIM in Qatar.
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler.