Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Climate
Without doubt, one of the biggest challenges of living in the Peninsula is learning to cope
with the weather. If you're from a cold, wet and windy place, it's hard to imagine you'd
ever get bored of the endless blue skies. But in the summer, the sky isn't blue: it's white
with heat and the extreme temperatures from April to October (which hover on average
around 40°C and frequently rise to 45°C plus) require a complete life adjustment. Learning
to live indoors in the air-conditioning for those months, to live life more slowly and find
ways of exercising that don't involve going outside, is as difficult as coming to terms with
winter in frozen climes. The upside is six months of magnificent, benign winter warmth
that bid friends and relatives to visit. Here are some key ways to beat the heat:
Embrace local timing Working hours across the region tend to favour the mornings and late afternoons either with a
7am-2pm regime, or a two-shift day from 7am to 7pm with a break between noon and 5pm.
Take a siesta If the job allows, follow local practice by eating your main meal at lunchtime and taking a nap in the heat of
the day.
Drink plenty of water Expats often under-estimate the amount of extra fluid intake they require in summer and become
dehydrated and ill as a result.
Wear cotton clothing Excessive humidity in Gulf cities can make a temperature of 35°C feel more like 45°C and syn-
thetic fibres stick to the skin, adding to the 'boil-in-the-bag' effect. Avoid excessive use of sunscreen for the same reason.
Wear a hat and sunglasses It's no accident that local costume includes some form of head covering for all. You should
also cover your neck and protect your eyes from glare (off white buildings and the sea especially). Avoid sitting in the
summer sun altogether if you want to maintain supple, unwrinkled skin.
Exercise with caution Half the activity takes twice the effort in extreme heat so follow the locals by exercising just be-
fore dawn or at an air-conditioned gym. There's often a slight cooling of temperature at dusk before the night-time heat
explodes.
Escape to higher ground Temperature reduces by around 5°C for every 1000m of altitude gained. A weekend break (or
summer retreat to drizzling Dhofar in Oman) may just keep you sane for the rest of the week.
 
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