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CLIMATE
The long summer (June through September) is characterized by intense heat and
alternating dryness and humidity, with temperatures exceeding sometimes the mid-40° C.
Temperatures are moderate from October through May, although winter temperatures
may fall to 17° C, which is relatively cool for the latitude. Rainfall is
negligible, averaging 100 millimeters per year, confined to the winter months,
and falling in brief, sometimes heavy storms that often flood the small ravines
and the usually dry wadis. Sudden, violent dust storms occasionally descend on
the peninsula, blotting out the sun, causing wind damage, and momentarily disrupting
transport and other services. The scarcity of rainfall and the limited underground
water, most of which has such a high mineral content that it is unsuitable for
drinking or irrigation, restricted the population and the extent of agricultural
and industrial development the country could support until desalination projects
began. Although water continues to be provided from underground sources, most
is obtained by desalination of seawater. |
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