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Post by Colts18 on Nov 11, 2011 19:31:57 GMT
Current Residents: I would like to know what the weather is like during the respective seasons and how frequent the dust storms are. Are allergies to the dust common? Is that something I should be concerned about? Also, considering Dhahran is close to the ocean, how muggy does it get? Thanks.
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Post by vpainter on Nov 11, 2011 19:48:45 GMT
Usually:
November to April is nice weather. Cool evenings and nights (low 40'sF to 70'sF), can be 40's F to 70'sF during the day or 80F to 90'sF during the day. Although we cooled off the last week of October this year! Nice!
May and October will be hot during the day and cooler at night. 70-80 F at night 80's to 100's during the day.
June and September - getting hotter during the day - high 70's to 80's at night - high 90's to low 100's during the day.
July and August - HOT!!!! day and night, but amazing how cool 100 at night feels after a 115 to 120 during the day. Humidity is usually the worst during these months, but this year there were not too too many of those. But can be extremely heavy air - humidity in the 90% - 100% - I have a pond - sometimes in August it does not evaporate a drop even though the temperatures are in the 100's - the humidity is that high; but those days are few.
Dust storms: One year they may be really bad; others not too many of them.
May - September. Not too long ago we had a year of dust storms that seem to go on for a couple of months May to first part of July - each one lasting a few days to a week+. But usually its for a few days.
We bring in 3M filter masks and wear them when needed; even if you're not allergic to dust, it cannot be good for you to breathe all that in. Wearing a mask is a personal choice. Many people never wear a mask even during the heaviest dust storms. The clinic does see an increase in respiratory problems during these storms.
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Post by Colts18 on Nov 12, 2011 15:16:35 GMT
Thanks vpainter. I was wondering if the dust storms are similar to the harmattan season in some parts of Africa. During harmattan, the dust seems to hang around and there's a constant haze of very fine dust from Oct. to Feb.
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Post by vpainter on Nov 12, 2011 19:23:29 GMT
Yes, that is what its like - a haze and dust in the air.
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Post by bolishfamily on Nov 13, 2011 19:38:42 GMT
My husband used to work in Nigeria and he said harmattan season in Nigeria was worst than what we've experienced here in Saudi Arabia.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Nov 14, 2011 11:59:21 GMT
Sometimes the dust storms carry a very fine hazy dust and if so, that can hang around for a couple of days but usually no longer than that. Certainly not for 5 months solid!
At other times the wind storms carry larger sand particles and with those kind of storms there usually isn't a persistence of dust - once it's over, it's over.
The year when we had almost constant dust storms was 2009 but the last two years we have had relatively few bad ones. For instance, I coach soccer, usually 4-5 nights a week in the May - July period. In 2009 we had to cancel at least one session almost every week because of the dust storms. In 2010 we only cancelled one or two (and had "walk-through" sessions on a couple of other nights) but this year we didn't have to cancel a single session because of the weather. I seem to recall a couple of weekend days however, where if we had had sessions planned, we would have cancelled them (all our practices are on week nights).
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Post by expatwife on Mar 20, 2012 22:05:21 GMT
Just curious, since we may arrive in DH May or June, and seems like the weather is starting to get very hot, what activities can children do? I have 2 and 6 yrs old.
Is the mall inside the compound has play area?
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Post by azraeil on Mar 27, 2012 7:45:22 GMT
Last year, the weather was hot (40c) in the afternoon (12-3PM) but it gets appreciatively cooler past 3PM. My kids were playing outside once they got back from school till dusk. July was when the high humidity hits you.
Here's hoping that this year will be the same.
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Post by Hadia on Mar 27, 2012 12:01:21 GMT
Not quite sure what you meant, but just to clarify, the shopping malls are not inside the compound. There are many outdoor playgrounds inside the camp, and in the warmer weather they are more populated after dinnertime. Don't let your kids run through the sprinklers there, though, or at your house. That's reclaimed water.
The nearby shopping malls have carnival-type kiddie rides. Aramcons can get discount cards for those. Some people like the kids' area at the Dhahran Mall better than AlRashid, but our kids prefer the latter. There's an ice skating rink inside the Dhahran Mall. I have not seen any indoor playlands that are free to romp. For instance, the one at AlRashid is part of the amusement area, and you have to pay to get your kid in.
I believe there's also a tot place, Gymberee (ok, I murdered that spelling), next to IKEA. Someone else feel free to jump in here...I don't know much about that venue. If I'm wrong about free indoor playlands, also please advise. Yeah, yeah, there's always the fast food playlands!
Very popular destination: Wahoo water slide at the mall in Bahrain.
We arrived with three kids last August, and they were pacing like caged tigers, but keeping them out of the hot sun and in the AC was a must for the hottest part of the day. That's a big reason why we chose to convert our gae into a playroom. It gives them and their friends a place to hang out when it's too hot outside, and I can close the door to the mess of toys, LOL. There's lots of house-hopping, gangs of kids going from one house to the next to play, watch TV. You'll want to keep lots of popsicles, cool drinks, and snacks around for sharing!
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Post by Hadia on Mar 27, 2012 12:09:21 GMT
With regard to allergies...my son and I are big sufferers, along with asthma. The recent dust storms landed him at the doctor's, despite having his own nebulizer at home. Asthma is nothing to mess around with, with these fine dust hazes that just linger in the air. We simply keep him inside when necessary and bundle a mask or scarf over his face when running errands. My older son had a couple of track events cancelled due to the dust. Also, the constant in and out with hot/humid air outside, and sharp AC inside can really wreak havoc on asthmatics. Take precautions and your meds, if you need them, and get into the primary care office right away so you're under care upon arrival. Happily, though, I don't have the North American pollen to contend with, so hooray!
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Post by vpainter on Apr 11, 2012 21:52:36 GMT
Also recommend you order 3M particle masks and bring them in with you. You'll be glad you did, just choose to wear them, when others are not.
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Post by Hadia on Apr 12, 2012 5:10:52 GMT
Dust masks we tried were too big for my small child. We find a bandana works better. If someone knows of child-size 3M type masks and where to find, please advise. Today's another dusty day here. We'll have to bundle him up to do Thursday shopping errands. Getting hotter here, too, but still comfortable. Last evening was beautiful. Plants are kicking into overdrive, so the garden looks great.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 12, 2012 22:39:42 GMT
This is a child one according to this website, 3M says its intended for adults,not children: 3M 8110S Particulate bRespirator/b for children , N95,only $1.52 3M Particulate bRespirator/b 8110s, bRespirator/b mask for children ... 3M Particulate bRespirator/b 8110S, N95, 20/box . Designed for people with smaller faces. www.library-dust.com/3m_8110These are something to look at, its a small size - : 3M Disposable Respirator N95, PK 50 Disposable Particulate Respirator, Filter Class N95, Size S, Nose Clip, Color White, Headstrap Type Stapled Non-Braided, NIOSH Approval TC-84A-5232, Protects Non-oil, PK 50 Price (pk.) $41.40 www.grainger.com/Grainger/3M-Dis ... ator-6KXU1 Another one: Respirator,N99,Pk10 Item # 4VT81 Disposable Particulate Respirator, Size Small, N99 Filter Class, Exhalation Valve, Protects Against Non Oil Based Particulates, 99% Efficiency SPERIAN N1139S 2530 Ready to Ship $36.75 www.grainger.com/Grainger/ecatal ... sst=subset |
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Post by Hadia on Apr 13, 2012 16:27:54 GMT
Thank you very much!
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sss
Member
Posts: 41
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Post by sss on Sept 14, 2013 3:19:36 GMT
Hi vpainter, is the information you laid out below still accurate and current: The child one on amazon seems to be this for example, just want to confirm before I order: www.amazon.com/3M-MMM9105S-Vflex ... 0SOK/2?o=9 |
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