Doha weather at a glance
Doha has a desert climate with two clear seasons. Winters are mild and dry with occasional rain. Summers are hot, with high humidity on the coast. Visit Qatar lists November to February as the winter travel season and June to September as the summer season, when most activities move indoors. For outdoor activities it names October to May.
The table below uses long-term averages. They show the pattern of the year and are not a forecast for your dates. A mild day in January can still be cool in the evening, and a day in May can already feel like summer.
Doha temperatures and rainfall by month
Long-term averages for 1962 to 1992 from the Qatar Meteorology Department, published through the World Meteorological Organization. Highs and lows are average daily values, not records.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.7 °C | 12.8 °C | 13.2 mm |
| February | 23.0 °C | 13.7 °C | 17.1 mm |
| March | 26.8 °C | 16.7 °C | 16.1 mm |
| April | 31.9 °C | 20.6 °C | 8.7 mm |
| May | 38.2 °C | 25.0 °C | 3.6 mm |
| June | 41.2 °C | 27.7 °C | 0.0 mm |
| July | 41.5 °C | 29.1 °C | 0.0 mm |
| August | 40.7 °C | 28.9 °C | 0.0 mm |
| September | 38.6 °C | 26.5 °C | 0.0 mm |
| October | 35.2 °C | 23.4 °C | 1.1 mm |
| November | 29.5 °C | 19.5 °C | 3.3 mm |
| December | 24.1 °C | 15.0 °C | 12.1 mm |
These figures cover an older period and are a historical reference. Check a current forecast a few days before you travel.
Doha tours by season
City tours, dhow cruises, desert safaris and museum tickets, with live prices and availability.
The best time to visit Doha
What each part of the year offers.
November to March: the comfortable months
Average highs run from 29.5 °C in November down to 21.7 °C in January and back up to 26.8 °C in March. This is the best window for walks on the Corniche, the market and the desert. Evenings are cooler, with average lows of 12.8 °C in January, so take a light layer. February and March are the wettest months, with 16 to 17 mm on average.
Corniche guide →April and October: the shoulder months
April averages 31.9 °C by day, October 35.2 °C. Mornings and evenings suit outdoor plans, and the midday hours are warm. Both months fall inside the October to May range that Visit Qatar gives for outdoor activities.
May to September: heat and humidity
Average highs stay between 38 and 41.5 °C from May to September, and lows stay at 25 °C or above. Coastal humidity makes the heat feel heavier. Visit Qatar advises shade, sun protection and plenty of fluids. Plan museums, malls and other indoor sights for the day and outdoor walks for the evening.
Things to do →Sunset cruises and desert trips
The listed dhow sunset cruise runs from 4 to 6 p.m. between October and February and from 5 to 7 p.m. between March and September. Private desert trips run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 2 to 6 p.m. In summer the afternoon slot falls in the hottest hours of the day.
Doha tours compared →Rain
Rain is rare. June to September have no rain in the long-term average, and December to March bring the most. A rainy day in Doha is a good moment for the museums.
Museum of Islamic Art →Ramadan and your plans
Dates depend on the moon sighting.
Dates
Ramadan 2026 began on 18 February after the moon sighting. For 2027 a calendar site lists 8 February as a tentative start and 10 March for Eid al-Fitr. These dates are not final until the moon is sighted.
Behaviour in the day
Visit Qatar expects visitors not to eat, drink or smoke in public places during the day. Hotels continue to serve guests in restaurants that cannot be seen from outside.
Opening hours
In Ramadan 2026 Qatar Museums published shorter hours: Saturday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday 8 p.m. to midnight. Do not apply these hours to 2027. Check each place before you go.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the weather matters.
Doha weather: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Doha?
November to March are the most comfortable months, with average highs between 21.7 and 29.5 °C. Visit Qatar names November to February as the winter travel season. Neither source promises pleasant weather on every day.
How hot is Doha in summer?
Long-term averages show daily highs of 38 to 41.5 °C from May to September and lows near 27 to 29 °C in June to August. Humidity on the coast adds to the strain.
Does it rain in Doha?
Rarely. The long-term average is about 75 mm a year, mostly from December to April. June to September have none in the average.
Is October a good month?
October averages a high of 35.2 °C and a low of 23.4 °C, with 1.1 mm of rain. It is warm by day. Visit Qatar counts it in the October to May range for outdoor activities.
What should I wear?
Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees suits public places and museums in every season. Add sun protection in summer and a light layer for winter evenings.
How does Ramadan change a visit?
Public eating, drinking and smoking is expected to stop in the daytime, and opening hours change. Plan museum visits for the published Ramadan hours of that year.