In continuation of the previous article entitled “Climatic Characteristics of October in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” I discuss in this column the climatic-astronomical characteristics that occur in the month of October, such as the number of hours of sunshine, the intensity of solar radiation, the degree of elevation of the sun, and others. The most important climatic-meteorological characteristics for this month are the following:
1. The length of the day and night hours: The day begins to gradually shorten, and the length of the night increases after the number of night hours becomes equal to the daylight hours on September 28 of each year, and the angle of incidence of the sun at noon begins to decrease until the end of the month reaches 50°, and the length of the shadow of objects that are 1 meter tall, at the moment of the noon call to prayer (11:23 a.m.), becomes 0.85 meters, and the decrease in the height of the sun reduces the intensity of the heat slightly.
2. Sunrise and sunset: Sunrise in Manama in early October is approximately 5:29 am, and sunset is at 5:25 pm. In late October, sunrise is at 5:45 am and sunset is at 5:57 pm.
3. Number of hours of sunshine: According to long-term climate records from the Meteorological Department in Bahrain (for the period from 1991 to 2020), the number of hours of sunshine is about 304 hours during the month, i.e. a daily average of approximately 9.8 sun hours due to some simple clouds and aerosols, and the longest days are often at the beginning of the month and the shortest at the end, with the sky remaining clear most days.
4. Intensity of solar radiation: The total daily “direct and diffuse” solar radiation rate in October ranges from 6.2 kilowatt-hours/m²/day per day at the beginning of the month to about 4.9 kilowatt-hours/m²/day toward its end during clear days. In late October, there is a gradual decline in these values to about 5,200 Wh/m²/day.
5. Horoscopes in September and weather conditions: The month of October includes 4 horoscopes, two of which are partial and two of which are complete, as follows:
A – Part of the Ascendant of Al-Zahra (“September 20 to October 2”). The Ascendant is the hair of the lion that roars and fluffs up when angry. The Ascendant of Al-Zahra is called “Al-Kharatan,” for the reason that the two stars appear to be in the lion’s belly, that is, as if they had fallen down and fallen into the lion’s stomach.
for. Shorfa reading “October 3 – October 15”; The Arab scholar said: “When the clearing appears, every craftsman will deceive, and everyone who has sperm will be ungrateful, and he will be distinguished from the waters.” This means that every professional begins to plan and prepare for the winter and earn his living after the end of the hot heat, and it is the time for redressing the strikes of camels at this time, because it is the time of labor and the pregnancy has appeared in them and their bellies are large so that the stallion does not approach them, and that the nearby waters begin with a scarcity, which drives people. To get away from it and travel in search of water and pasture.
C. The Howling Rise (October 16 – October 28), and Saji’ Al-Arab said: “When the howling rises, the tent is struck, the air is sweet, the open air is disliked, and the watering can be made dry.”
D. Part of the horoscope for al-Sammak (October 29 – November 10). Saji’ al-Arab said, “When the al-Sammak rises, the al-Akkak (the intense heat with the wind calms) disappears, and the al-Lakak (crowding) decreases on the water.”
6. The most important astronomical phenomena: On October 3 of every year, the constellation Pegasus is at the azimuth point (directly above the head) at 8:00 pm. On October 24 of each year, we see the Pleiades ascendant or star (magnitude 1.4) to the east, at an altitude of 20° from the horizon at 8:00 pm (falls), and on October 27 of each year the constellation Ursa Minor and the Dragon is to the north at 8:00 pm. As for October 31 of each year, the sun enters the sign of Libra and exits it on November 22 (people born under the sign of Libra), and not as is traditionally done (September 23 – October 22).
7. General notes: It is preferable to wear light and comfortable clothes that are appropriate for hot weather and long days, and use sunglasses when driving after sunrise when heading east and after sunset when heading west, and in the period between two hours of the noon prayer and two hours before the sunset prayer because the sun’s rays are reflected from the street to the eyes and contain concentrated ultraviolet rays; The sun is still relatively intense.
October nights are relatively more comfortable compared to mid-summer, but heat and humidity are still prevalent, although slightly lower than at the beginning of the month, so you can consider evening activities as well.
