‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎28v] (61/470)

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The period assigned to them by the Arabs is from the 15th of October
to the 5th November, during which time no native vessels put to sea until
either the squall is over, or "until the 5th November is past, if no bad weather
happens before that date.
If they do not occur before the 5th of November, the Arabs consider that
none will happen after that date, until the ordinary bad weather of the winter
sets in.
Weather .—The climate of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. is one of the most trying
imaginable, though perhaps, on the whole, not unhealthy for Europeans.
The intense heat of the summer is aggravated by the humidity of the atmos
phere, and the dust raised by every wind ; nor are there rains or clouds at this
season, as in India, to temper the excessive heat. The Arab coast is hotter
and less healthy than the Persian, and the southern end of the gulf hotter
than the northern.
In the winter the winds are cold and cutting, although the temperature
is more suited to Europeans; but it appears to be less healthy than the hot
season.
During June and the first half of July, the heat at the northern end of
the gulf is moderated by the almost constant shamdl (the air during these
months is generally loaded with dust), but from that time to the end cf
August it is most intense, and with a southerly wind almost Insupportable,
from the increase of moisture in the air. In the month of August, the ther
mometer has been known to rise on shore to lot)* F. in the sun.*
In the shade on boardship its range is small, from 90* to 93° at 4 a.m.
to 96* or 98° in the afternoon at Abu-shahr. At Basfduh it is a little higher.
In the Shatt-al-Arab the thermometer is stated by Loftus to have risen to
121° in the shade.
The intense heat of the nights renders the weather more distressing.
September is but little cooler than August. The nights, however, are less
oppressive, particularly towards the end. The heat of these months is necessary
for the'maturing of the date crop. October, though still hot, is by compari
son quite endurable. Towards the end the squalls, which generally occur,
reduce the temperature considerably. November is generally a beautiful
month—fine weather, with often wonderfully clear atmosphere; temperature
pleasant.
December is often a fine cool month, similar to the last, unless the bad
weather sets in, which it seldom does before the middle of this month. It
more frequently comes on at the end of this, or the beginning of the next
month, and occasionally does not set in till near the end of January.
January and February are cold and boisterous months. Gales of wind
prevail with rain, and what is termed by seamen “ bad weather.” The mini
mum of temperature occurs in the first half of February. March is an agree
able month as to temperature, and the weather generallv fine and clear, the
winds variable. The natives consider the bad weather over in the beginning
of this month for the south end of the gulf. In the northern part of the
gulf, a gale often occurs about the equinox, but intervals of variable winds
and fine weather are frequent (though some bad weather still occurs).
April is a pleasant month, getting hot towards the end. The weather is
generally fine, with moderate shamdls now and then.
In the northern part of the gulf a very heavy shamdl has occurred in this
month; also heavy squalls, or a gale from the eastward.
Variable winds, however, prevail, with sometimes rain. *
* The blackened bulb in vacuo rises to upwards of 170°.— C.E.K.