Friday, January 02, 2026

Qatar is famous for heat — but it also has cold records.



The lowest temperature ever recorded in Qatar dropped to about 1.5°C during a rare winter cold spell.It was  in   in February 2017  This happened inland, away from the coast, where desert nights cool very fast.




  • .8 °C — 1964: The previous historic low recorded in Mesaieed before the 2017 record.

  • 4 °C — 2025: A very cold winter morning in Abu Samra, one of the lowest that season. 

  • 6 °C — 2026: Mesaieed logged a chilly low at the start of January. 


  • On some winter mornings, temperatures can fall to 5–8°C, which feels cold in a country built for heat. Shops suddenly sell coats, socks, heaters, and blankets, and people change their daily habits.

    These cold days don’t last long, but they surprise everyone.
    Even in the desert, Qatar can get cold — just quietly.

    When Qatar Gets Cold - Lifestyle in winter

     Qatar is often described as “too hot to live in,” but that impression usually comes from looking only at summer. The reality is far more balanced — and for many residents, surprisingly pleasant.

    From mid-November until the end of March, Qatar enjoys its best weather. Daytime temperatures are typically well below 30 °C, often sitting comfortably in the low- to mid-20s. Evenings are mild, outdoor seating is full, and walking along the Corniche or through parks becomes part of everyday life again.

    This five-month stretch is not an exception — it is a reliable seasonal pattern. Winter mornings can be cool, sometimes even chilly by local standards, while afternoons remain bright and comfortable. Humidity is low, skies are clear, and rain, when it comes, is brief and refreshing rather than disruptive.




    This is also when life in Qatar truly opens up. Outdoor cafés, beaches, markets, festivals, and sports events fill the calendar. Residents spend more time outside, children play longer in parks, and the city feels calmer and more human. For many expats and locals alike, this is when Qatar is at its most enjoyable.

    Yes, summers are intense — no one denies that. But reducing Qatar’s climate to summer heat alone creates a false and incomplete picture. Nearly half the year offers weather that many cities around the world would consider ideal.

    The truth is simple: Qatar is not hot all year. For months at a time, it is sunny, mild, and genuinely comfortable — a season that defines daily life far more than outsiders realize.

    Monday, December 29, 2025

    The “Katara Stamps” exhibition at the Arab Postal Stamps Museum

     

    يأخذكم معرض «طوابع كتارا» في #متحف_طوابع_البريد_العربي – مبنى 22، في رحلة عبر ذاكرة المراسلات البريدية، حيث تروي مجموعة مختارة من الطوابع حكايات التواصل بين الشعوب بأسلوب بصري فريد.
    🕙 ساعات الزيارة: من 10 صباحًا إلى 10 مساءً.

    The “Katara Stamps” exhibition at the Arab Postal… pic.twitter.com/t7Ntzt48Mn

    — كتارا | Katara (@kataraqatar) December 29, 2025


    Celebrating 75 Years of Qatar Post: Commemorative Stamp & Gold Medal

     



     A remarkable milestone—75 years of  QatarPost! To celebrate this journey since 1950, Qatar Post has released a special commemorative stamp.

    Collectors and enthusiasts can get the stamp and a gold medal at the Philatelists Office in the General Post Office or conveniently online through the Qatar Post Souq website: qatarpostsouq.com

    Don’t miss this chance to own a piece of Qatar’s postal history!

    Sunday, December 28, 2025

    How New Year’s Eve Is Celebrated in Qatar - 2025 -26

     


    New Year’s Eve in Qatar is celebrated in a way that reflects the country’s character: orderly, family-oriented, and mostly private, with one major public focal point and several quieter alternatives.

    1. Mass public event: Lusail Boulevard fireworks

    This year, the only large-scale public New Year’s Eve celebration is taking place at Lusail Boulevard.

    The event is:

    • family-oriented

    • alcohol-free

    • carefully organized and monitored

    • designed for residents rather than tourists seeking party crowds

    Families arrive early, children play in the open spaces, and people gather calmly to watch the fireworks at midnight. Unlike many global cities, there are no multiple competing countdown locations — Lusail is clearly the main public venue.

    As officially announced yesterday, the fireworks show and crowd management details have been confirmed, with authorities emphasizing public safety, smooth transport, and controlled access.

    👉 Important practical note:
    Crowds are expected only in Lusail and on the Doha Metro routes serving it. Other parts of the city remain largely quiet.





        It is  a   free    event   ! BUT   ! In  case  you  want  to avoid   the  crowds and still   enjoying  the event  and  ready to pay   QR 300 .  Then  there is  an option  to  participate  in the  New  Year's eve   festivities  from  a   special   place ,  BUY A TICKET HERE


    2. Dhow cruises or desert camping



    Many residents choose a more scenic and peaceful way to welcome the New Year:

    • Dhow cruises along The Pearl, West Bay, or Lusail Marina offer dinner, skyline views, and a relaxed midnight atmosphere.

    • Celebrate New Year’s Eve aboard our Premium Midnight Gala Cruise

    • If you don’t want a large group event, there are traditional dhows along the Corniche that are not widely advertised online. You can often arrange a private dhow cruise in person. These dhows usually cruise around the Corniche area, offering beautiful views of Doha’s illuminated skyline as a backdrop.

    • Desert camping is another popular option, especially for families and groups of friends — bonfires, barbecues, stargazing, and a quiet countdown away from the city.

    These celebrations focus on togetherness and nature, not spectacle.





    3. Expensive hotel dinners




    Luxury hotels across Doha host New Year’s Eve gala dinners, often including:

    • live music or DJs

    • curated menus

    • limited alcohol service (within licensed venues only)

    These events are usually pricey and attract a mixed crowd of expats, visitors, and residents looking for a more traditional Western-style celebration — but still within Qatar’s discreet norms.


     I  found   some less   expensive   dinner  at  QGrabs   -  

    5-Star New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Experience at Fraser Suites!


    Only QR 99  ! 

    Only   QR 119

    Only  QR  137   


    4. Quietly at home




    For many people, New Year’s Eve in Qatar is simply:

    • a nice dinner at home

    • watching international countdowns on TV

    • celebrating different time zones before local midnight

    Outside Lusail, the city remains calm, with no street parties, no loud public celebrations, and no pressure to participate.



    Doha Metro & Lusail Tram - photo of this week

     

    Saturday, December 27, 2025

    HH The Father Amir Prix - Al Shaqab

     

    The world’s elite riders gather in Qatar’s capital, Doha, for the inaugural edition of the HH The Father Amir Prix. at Al Shaqab to experience the elegance of equestrian sport and world-class competition .


    Friday, December 26, 2025

    Legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022” Exhibition - Katara

     

    Tuesday, December 23, 2025

    WINTER CAMP for kids AT University of Doha

     

    Monday, December 22, 2025

    Winter Camp with Ninja Fun

    See more - https://www.facebook.com/reel/2095632167640835

     When : from 8 AM to 1 PM this December
    Where : Dar Al Salam Mall

    What to expect : Ninja Fun for tiny Ninjas ...:)

    Winter Camp for kids and young adults at QNL



    This winter, let’s learn, create, and explore together! ❄️✨
    Children and young adults can enjoy:
    📖 Storytime journeys
    🧪 STEM explorations
    🎨 Arts & crafts fun
    💻 3D modeling sessions
    21 December 2025 – 1 January 2026
    Visit our website to register.

     

    expat Qatar