ME summer

July/August hits the height of the Middle East summer. It isn’t particularly cold at any time of the year here, but the summer excels itself it bringing discomfort and a change of lifestyle that sees many people leaving for cooler climes or, for those who dare to or have to stay, taking up an indoor-based existence. In June, July and August there is a dramatic increase in humidity that sees us dripping wet within minutes of stepping outside . If we get a shift in the wind which takes the humidity away for the odd day or two, the temperatures then shoot up to around 50C. The excessive humidity (up to 95%) is partly caused by the start of the monsoon season in the south of Oman and also in India which isn’t that far away, so we’re hemmed in on 2 sides by hot, wet air. On days when the humidity is very high and there isn't much breeze, it’s difficult to breathe because the air is saturated with moisture and there is a particular smell that alerts us, as soon as we open the door, that it’s going to be a particularly bad day. Clothing becomes wet and sticks to us even when we’re inactive and, if we’re reckless enough to sit outside on, say, a plastic or wooden chair, that’s where WBS (Wet Bum Syndrome) comes into play. I think most of us have sported a dark, wet patch on our shorts, trousers or skirts at some time, but it’s such a common phenomenon that, luckily, no one takes any notice. On high humidity days, going outside after being in the a/c, our sunglasses steam up immediately which can be quite dangerous if we don’t either quickly wipe or remove them . Several times I’ve come out of a supermarket and fogged up just as I was teetering at the top of some steps,i would have tripped and fallen i had'nt wiped my shades

ME summer

July/August hits the height of the Middle East summer. It isn’t particularly cold at any time of the year here, but the summer excels itself it bringing discomfort and a change of lifestyle that sees many people leaving for cooler climes or, for those who dare to or have to stay, taking up an indoor-based existence. In June, July and August there is a dramatic increase in humidity that sees us dripping wet within minutes of stepping outside . If we get a shift in the wind which takes the humidity away for the odd day or two, the temperatures then shoot up to around 50C. The excessive humidity (up to 95%) is partly caused by the start of the monsoon season in the south of Oman and also in India which isn’t that far away, so we’re hemmed in on 2 sides by hot, wet air. On days when the humidity is very high and there isn't much breeze, it’s difficult to breathe because the air is saturated with moisture and there is a particular smell that alerts us, as soon as we open the door, that it’s going to be a particularly bad day. Clothing becomes wet and sticks to us even when we’re inactive and, if we’re reckless enough to sit outside on, say, a plastic or wooden chair, that’s where WBS (Wet Bum Syndrome) comes into play. I think most of us have sported a dark, wet patch on our shorts, trousers or skirts at some time, but it’s such a common phenomenon that, luckily, no one takes any notice. On high humidity days, going outside after being in the a/c, our sunglasses steam up immediately which can be quite dangerous if we don’t either quickly wipe or remove them . Several times I’ve come out of a supermarket and fogged up just as I was teetering at the top of some steps.