Desert state Qatar recorded the lowest temperature ever in country's history

Qatar, the desert gulf state recorded the lowest temperature in its history- 1.5 degrees Celsius- on 5 February 2017.

The early morning temperature was recorded by a weather station in the southwest part of the country, Abu Samra, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Key Highlights

• The new temperature has even beaten the previously recorded lowest reading of 3.8 degrees that was taken in January 1964.

• The Qatar Met Department has stated that due to an area of high pressure, temperatures have been relatively low for the past several days in the Gulf state.

• Qatar is usually known for its unbearably hot weather. The temperature in the desert state regularly touches 50 degrees Celsius.

• Qatar’s summer heat is such that labourers have been banned from working for several hours during the day when summer is at its peak.

• In fact, the governing body of football, the Federation Internationale de Football Association controversially switched the dates of 2022 FIFA to be held in Qatar to November and December to avoid the country’s fierce heat.

• In December, the organisers of FIFA also announced that thousands of World Cup 2022 labourers would be given "cooling" hard hats to reduce their body temperature as they build football stadiums in the scorching desert heat.