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Qatar Living : Keeping you warm this winter

qatari's picture

I was glad to see an article in the The Peninsula urging people to go out and buy heaters before the winter rush. Of course, if you are one of the thousands of people who are members of the Qatar Living family, you would have known this nearly a month ago when mohamed posted a great tip titled Preparing for Winter in Qatar" where he wrote:

If you were in Doha last winter you'll remember how cold it was. People were rushing to buy blankets and heaters which were eventually sold out. All the big supermarkets didn't have stock and people would snatch heaters up whenever they appeared.

Why am I reminding you of this? Well, I was at Carrefoure the other day and walked into the electronics section and saw a whole lot of heaters on display. And people were circling them and buying them up!

So I thought I'd give the Qatar Living community a heads up so you don't freeze in Doha this winter!

Regular readers have known this for ages - if you want to know whats going on in Qatar, you have to be on Qatar Living.


Comments

Greeker's picture

Greeker said Q! ...

 

Scarlett's picture

Scarlett said thanks Qatari... ...

now we can all meet each other at the store buying heaters, instead of having a coffee gathering... ;)

 

qatari's picture

qatari said coffee actually ;) ...

Actually, if you read the story on QL a month ago you should be all done with your heater shopping and can now sit back at the coffee shop and relax with a skinny mocha (no cream) knowing that all the other plebs are no scrambling to buy heaters a month later ;)

---
Please read our Community Guidelines before posting on Qatar Living. It will save us all a lot of pain :)

 

Scarlett's picture

Scarlett said well supposedly I have central heat... ...

however...the central a/c in the master bedroom isn't working..either its blowing full speed..set it at 30 and its a constant 18..or its blowing hot humid air...makes me wonder what winter will bring with this...lol Life is NEVER dull!!!

 

Scarlett's picture

Scarlett said might just have to go get one "just in case" ...

as hubby last year lived in a different place and was wearing three sets of socks and two pairs of pants to sleep in...

 

sophia's picture

sophia said good tip! ...

we saw that post and went out and got one!

thanks!

 

normanila2000's picture

normanila2000 said To all... ...

those heater(oil filled type) owners who have used it last year. Can you recommend a brand that will not easily break down? Iv'e done rounds around dept stores and notice new brands popping up.

 

cah_angon's picture

cah_angon said Enjoy the winter... ...

Don't scare with winter,we are still lucky
Just go outside from our house,plenty people didn't have heater or even blanket.
....and for next summer people how to take bath with hot water...
please,be prepare..it...

 

baedaebok's picture

baedaebok said No blowing heaters yet ...

I'm not done with my heater buying. I haven't found good heaters that blow hot air throughout the room. All I've seen is those radiator ehaters (takes 2 hours to heat up a room).

Has anyone seen the blowing heaters?

 

RED_POPE's picture

RED_POPE said baedaebok ...

You know the theory behind Heat rising and cold descending?

Circulating Air heaters are the best, as long you keep them of the floor on a brick or something not flammable. Heat will rise always, keeping your upstairs room warmer If you leave your doors open.
Cold air will always be moving around your house, specially those cold cement walls which are not the best insulation.

I have three of those made by black and Decker, model HX325, 1500 WATT, Ceramic fan Heater and still working fine. I saw them at Carrefour in Villagio area.

Never try to set them up in high temperature, because I discovered most of the villas are not grounded well and their Amperage overload is not quiet efficient. It will trip your circuit breakers.

Seal with a towel to avoid cold wind draft from entering from above your doors. It helps to keep some of this nasty dust too. I did seal all my doors with a door strips.

You will have to buy a all ground plug receptacle to add as a safety device. I bought my receptacle at Radio Shack. They are the best because of the copper lining.

Any question PM.

PS

Oil heaters are good If you set them up as a back up, like a small room not in open big spaces... .
I use my ceramics in open spaces like my dining room or living room area.
Oil heaters in the small rooms.
and yes I had to give my maid a Safety class in how to use them. Since that was for her An Alien Space ship... LOL

The Red Pope of Qatar Living

Egomania goes with the territory of decoding your own genome.

 

tillydevine's picture

tillydevine said buying heaters ...

Thanks for pointing your loyal readers to our story in The Peninsula.

For the record, I had actually missed the piece on QL a month ago, having only arrived in this fair city at that time.

One our our photographers was actually in a store on the weekend for another story and saw the crowd and snapped the pic. A greta case of a photographer using hsi initiative.

Thanks again for the link to the story and if you need me I will be at Carrefour stocking up on heaters and electric blankets!

Cheers
Rachel

 

MMazhar's picture

MMazhar said before I even attempt to ask my husband to buy one ............. ...

Please tell me how cold does it really get? It was ok in Dubai and he will assume that doha will be no different. If I am missing out on something please enlighten me..........

 

ngourlay's picture

ngourlay said one.. two.. three.. ...

counting how long it takes for someone to comment on Peninsula editor's spelling

;)

 

tillydevine's picture

tillydevine said LOL Thanks Nigel! ...

It was written quickly...and without the benefit of a sub.
Apologies for my spelling issues and kids, don't try that at school!

 

Imablue's picture

Imablue said I don't think it will be ...

I don't think it will be that cold like we use to it! We like the cold & snow!
At least we can enjoy it without snow!

 

Nic's picture

Nic said exaggeration ...

First the cold weather here doesn't kill, second there were never any shortage of blankets or sweaters in Doha.
No need to dramatize unless or this part of a marketing campaign.
stay cool

 

t_coffee_or_me's picture

t_coffee_or_me said Been here for 25+ years and ...

Been here for 25+ years and never had a heater so far all i have is a comforter and I am OK so far

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here
Than a whole truck load when I'm gone

 

gypsy gal's picture

gypsy gal said Nic ...

You say this because you are from Canada, but people who never been exposed to freezing climate will find 7 to 10 degree as freaking cold. Last winter was very cold compared to previous years.....for people like us anything less than 8 degree is unbearable. Heaters were sold out. I don’t know about blankets.

 

Ragnarock Raider's picture

Ragnarock Raider said Too funny =) ...

Its all relative....if you come from even WARMER climate than here (don't even know if that's possible lol)...then I suppose you might think its cold.

No offense guys, but you don't even know the meaning of the word cold if you buy heaters in Qatar LOL

Last winter, the ONLY AC I turned off in the whole house was my baby daughters room!!

Zero degrees is T-Shirt weather, so no, it NEVER gets cold in Qatar.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

 

Nic's picture

Nic said quality journalism in Qatar? ...

"A great case of a photographer using his initiative.".... Is this a joke or what?

With so many abuses and injustices in this city (and region) THAT ARE NOT REPORTED, such as:
- horrible car accidents which some are signatures of aggressivness and disrespect;
- collapsed scalfolds in construction sites;
- fires in shopping malls with no fire fighting procedures being implemented;
- workers baddly paid (cleaners can make as little as 400 Qr/month)
- etc, etc, etc...

you call great initiative, reporting on people buying heaters????????????

 

t_coffee_or_me's picture

t_coffee_or_me said They also report all cases ...

They also report all cases done by poor people like seeling of fake CD's on fridays,
Karwa bus not giving tickets

Why cant they write about poor road condition around industrail area or doha

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here
Than a whole truck load when I'm gone

 

Nic's picture

Nic said This type of press is common ...

This type of press is common in societies where hypocrisy commands!

 

Xena's picture

Xena said it was a tounge-in-cheek ...

comment tcom, nic... don't be so serious....

 

Nic's picture

Nic said Xena ...

with all the respect, considering the daily established abuses on human beings in this part of the world (just ask any worker that sleeps in a dorm somewhere in the industrial aerea, with conditions that we all know, not being able to visit their familys for 3 years, making a monthly salary that is just over what some of the very lucky ones spend on a diner) I dont think I am being serious enough.
But I do respect that this is probably not the ideal location for a cry loud for some support and exposure of the miserable conditions of the less favoured ones, how this maniac development is built over the blood and sacrifice of these ignored souls, but when i spoted a journalist in this forum, i couldnt resist in lauching theme the topic, at least for a reflection...
It would be nice if the local press would contribute to the improvement of the life of the labourers in Qatar.

The examples that I listed above, were all witnessed by me and photographed with the intention of sending them to a local newspaper for the purpose of exposing abuses aiming to "educate"... but in situations I was threatened and nearly attacked in front of the police who just stood there and said that i should delete the photos....

Anyway, we all know what I am talking about, but for some reason, we all choose to ignore it here!
Am I wrong?

I think we can all do more to help the voiceless and abused!

 

buttercupryle's picture

buttercupryle said To be honest I didn't know ...

To be honest I didn't know that Middle East countries have winter season until I spent christmas here last year...so freezing...chilling cold.
**** ******** ****

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it'

 

buttercupryle's picture

buttercupryle said To be honest I didn't know ...

To be honest I didn't know that Middle East countries have winter season until I spent christmas here last year...so freezing...chilling cold.
**** ******** ****

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it'

 

buttercupryle's picture

buttercupryle said To be honest I didn't know ...

To be honest I didn't know that Middle East countries have winter season until I spent christmas here last year...so freezing...chilling cold.
**** ******** ****

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it'

 

buttercupryle's picture

buttercupryle said To be honest I didn't know ...

To be honest I didn't know that Middle East countries have winter season until I spent christmas here last year...so freezing...chilling cold.
**** ******** ****

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it'

 

baedaebok's picture

baedaebok said Taking the Qatari weather with me! ...

Buttercupryle, three times is good luck!

I endured the inhuman weather in Canada for 30 years until I gave up and left polar bear country. In Qatar, I'm right in my element (except Nov-Feb). When I need to eventually move back to Canada (or the US, if I'm lucky), I wish I could take the Qatari weather with me.

I'm still lookin' for heaters. And, no, the housemaid is not considered a extra night-time heater to cuddle up with when sleeping.

(The above is only written to see if anyone actually reads this far into my oft-longwinded posts.)

 

MMazhar's picture

MMazhar said he he he ...

I did trying to figure out if someone will validate the cold information.

 

Ragnarock Raider's picture

Ragnarock Raider said Baedaebok...you' re crazy dude lol ...

I'm dreaming of good old Canadian weather!! Why on earth would you WANT to take stifling heat with you....I personally do NOT enjoy sweat cascading down the crack of my butt all the time!

Cold is so much easier to deal with....you can always add more layers...but with heat what are you supposed to do, rip off your own skin??

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

 

Kattie's picture

Kattie said winter ...

What is the lowest temp in the winter months? I am from Canada and we get really cold weather with lots of snow. How do you dress in the winter months? Do you need coats and sweaters?

 

Ragnarock Raider's picture

Ragnarock Raider said No Kattie....not if you're from Canada.... ...

Our ACs do not get turned off...EVER.....the lowest it drops is to like 15 or 20C during the day and maybe like 10C at the coldest at night.....so no, sweaters required....and you'll laugh when people start complaining that the carrefour is out of heaters lol....besides the "winter" is behind us now, all you got to look forward to in the next few months is stifling heat and humidity!

 

Stay safe.

 

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?


 

Kattie's picture

Kattie said Winter ...

 Really 10C  coldest night.  I guess everyone is different with regards to temperatures. Gee I would like those temperatures.

 

Thanks


 

VICTORJUEGOJR's picture

VICTORJUEGOJR said not winter? ...

please repair my AC first before that preparation. sand is coming out from it.the smell is like that of a dust and sand.

 

Dracula's picture

Dracula said next... Doha (Mon, 16/06/2008 - 1:47pm) ...

Dracula said next... Doha ...
http://www.qatarlivi...
Arabian desert,one of the largest moving ones in the world, has got a 14-cm deposit of snow due to consecutive snowing since June 13.2008.
Saudi Men in long Arab robes pelted snow balls at each other in the capital of this desert nation on Wednesday as a heavy snowstorm battered KSA, stranding motorists, cutting off villages and sparking appeals to citizens to remain indoors.
Saudi police warned that roads in the capital and highways linking the capital were temporarily closed. Announcements broadcast on state television appealed for citizens to remain indoors to avoid the dangers of icy roads. (AP)

_________________________________________
If you see evil in others, it is actually the reflection of your own evil feelings

Mon, 16/06/2008 - 1:47pm


 

mchetty's picture

mchetty said winter in qatar ...

Honestly guys, this article got me worried. What is the temperature here in winter. I am from London. I came here 15 days ago and your post got me worried now cause i gave away all my winter clothing to uk charities. Please answer my question.

Thanks

 

novita77's picture

novita77 said it wont be snowing mchetty, ...

it wont be snowing mchetty, but you do need a light cardigan ...

sometimes the temperature go down to single digit ...


 

Dracula's picture

Dracula said mchetty ...

muhahahahah
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

 

SonOfPrince's picture

SonOfPrince said man talk to me when u been ...

man talk to me when u been in -20 degree weather going outside to a freeze car and cant get in cuz the door froze shut

 

flanostu's picture

flanostu said it gets cold here? ...

it gets cold here?

 

JoeAnne's picture

JoeAnne said With my two bridal dresses ...

With my two bridal dresses I'm sure I won't be cold in this winter! I can't wait! :dreamy:

 

cheska's picture

cheska said I doubt if winter in Qatar ...

I doubt if winter in Qatar can be as cold as the UK. I gave up all my winter clothes too and am not quite bothered.

If we could survive in the UK where it snows, then it cant be that bad here.

 

tallg's picture

tallg said Remember - there's no ...

Remember - there's no central heating in many apartments and villas here, so when temperatures drop into single digits you'll definitely feel it. Hence the need for heaters.

 

Nic's picture

Nic said it gets cold, but its not ...

it gets cold, but its not the candian or europen winters.
it gets cold and you as an human being will know how to react for these mild winters, even whenit goes down to single digits.

the point of my initial post was, the tone describe to classify the article, by some:
"very good journalism"

which I found pathetic, for the reasons that these same good journalists stay mute when local youngsters kill themselves when speeding at more than 2ooKM/h, and kill others and loads other issues that these ""good" journalists dont say a word about!

one can question their role in eucating (or not) society here in this region!
that was my point!

 

vickyk1's picture

vickyk1 said Nic ...

Gosh, I was just starting to dig all this weather talk..Now I'm just depressed

 

amyl's picture

amyl said HEATERS ...

Since I am new to this area and most likely considered a "virgin" to the weather here in Doha- I am curious to know if you live in a villa that never gets cool enough and the water is never ever anywhere near cool (without the water heater)is it really even possible that a heater is required?

I mean, if you think about how hot it is the rest of the time in this country, isn't that enough to keep you warm during your so-called winter weather?


 

Raechie's picture

Raechie said Yeah you need a heater, the ...

Yeah you need a heater, the apartments here are not made for cold weather so even if it is not that cold outside its freezing inside. we had about 2 weeks last year that were absolutly freezing, the wind was really cold and it didnt let up, so I would say on the safe side buy a heater they are not that expensive and then at least you have one before they sell out.

 

MMazhar's picture

MMazhar said I can't believe that this ...

I can't believe that this thread is still going on.

 

romeo_theiceman's picture

romeo_theiceman said saddle up! ...

anyways the most important thing to do is prepare yourselves, get the things you only need and enjoy winter in your own way...

 

marhabtain's picture

marhabtain said Turn your cooker full on ...

And shove your head in it! That does the trick! Yippee, Yippeee, its GORDONS gin for me!
WINNER Gordons Gin Personal Consumption Award 2008 Hic!

 

babydoll's picture

babydoll said i love when it rains.. but since rain would out of sight ...

i love when it rains.. but since rain would out of sight here in doha .. i learn to love winter.. chills!!

"letting go doesn't mean ur weak,only shows you're stronger enough to let go"

 

fishermanalex's picture

fishermanalex said thx qatari yes we must ...

thx qatari yes we must arrange for the winter

as per my humble experience we will face a coooooooold winter this year since we faced this much of humy daaaays

 

amihamus's picture

amihamus said convection electric heater available now at LULU ...

Black&Decker electric heater now available at LULU...

 

playa07's picture

playa07 said Kool ...

Kool

 

eaglemmanuel's picture

eaglemmanuel said Coming from a warm, sunny, ...

Coming from a warm, sunny, green tropical country, this is gonna be some challenge not to freeze. I'm getting chilled rather easily these days, joints aching sometimes too. Got myself a jacket that'll keep me warm but need to find gloves... and that heater.

*****************************************
Life is short. Live it to the fullest!

 

xyned's picture

xyned said Ceramics are unsafe. Try ...

Ceramics are unsafe.

Try reverse-cycle aircons
Otherwise water cooler (which also acts as hydrator whilst heating)

 

JoeAnne's picture

JoeAnne said I am not into ceramics ...

I am not into ceramics either. I was heard about the fact that they aren't that safe on a review of google nemesis. At first I didn't want to believe it , but after reading all the things that might happen I understood why is that dangerous.


 

missv's picture

missv said How cold does it get during winter? ...

It's summer here in New Zealand now, temperatures are between 25 and 35 degrees celsius...

Winter temperatures here are usually between 5 degrees celsius and -5 degrees celsius.

Should I bring my fur coats?

Miss V - It's all about me! xx

 

xyned's picture

xyned said missv ...

hey missv

Qatari peak winters are as follows

Chilly 7 celcius mornings.

toasty 20c afternoons

chilly 10-15 at evenings

so keep your fur coat in storage. It wont see much light here.

qatari winter can never touch cold-to-the-bone kiwi winters.

 

aqua1979's picture

aqua1979 said there isn t a ...

cold weather in qatar

 

nadinenana's picture

nadinenana said cold weather in qatar ...

I was planning on just bringing summer apparel, but i guess this means i have to bring my sweaters/long sleeve shirts.


 

ngourlay's picture

ngourlay said nadine, you'll need to wrap ...

nadine,

you'll need to wrap up in ramadan, even if the temperature is in the 40s.

 

xyned's picture

xyned said hey ngourlay ...

ngourlay. Culture sensitive humour. Wrap it in some old stockings of yours and keep it home.

Not so comfortable? Loose the chip.

 

xyned's picture

xyned said Get a reverse cycle aircon. ...

Get a reverse cycle aircon. That gonna take care of your chills. If you live in aircon fitted apartments. No worries. Leave ur aircons at 27c.

While you guys are at it? Discover one of the best things of qatar. Matresses. Dont laugh till you try. No bullshit spring or multilayer orthopedic. You want real orthopedic, non-rubbish mattress, get yourself one of those custom or off-the-shelve high density foam mattresses (double padded). They are as heavy as brick they breath well at the paddings. They are real orthopedic. no twing-twang spring rubbish. The price is way less painfull that those so called orthopedic or memory foam rubbish you get outside.

Say bye bye to springs. Say bye bye to coconut husk stuffing or even rubber

 

Spartacus506's picture

Spartacus506 said hahahahahha ...

Reading this having just gone through a winter with temps of -40c and snow that was usually more than one meter deep -- this is funny. Oh look it's snowing where I am right now.

Here is a tip -- always have a quality sleeping bag, long underwear and a good wool sweater. No matter where you live. When you travel, always have a good wool or fleece pullover and a good jacket. I prefer leather with zip-out linings. Don't leave home without them.

No matter where you go -- there you are.

 

keiko's picture

keiko said keiko san: 8 celsius / 46 ...

keiko san:

8 celsius / 46 farenheit is a bit chilly. In Chicago we consider this to be beautiful weather! But it is definitely too cold for sleeping or lounging without proper garments, blankets and a heater.

 

Cargodog's picture

Cargodog said What's with the attitude ...

Why do some people insist on telling people how it's not cold here in Qatar. I'm from Scandinavia and yes, we too have cold weather in the winter. But there's a heck of a difference between what I am used to and what a lot of other people in Qatar are used to. Telling that I shouldn't complain, because the temperature in the house "never gets below 10 degrees C". Well, I don't intend to live in a house that's 10 degrees inside. If some of you find that the "perfect temperature", good on ya. I don't!! Telling me that you're used to -20 degrees and that "0 degrees is t-shirt weather doesn't impress me and I don't do pissing contests. I don't intend to walk around in my living room in layers. So please, don't give me the attitude and tell me I'm a cry baby because I want (what I consider to be) a decent temp in my house.

I think it's very sound advice to tell people to be prepared for winter. Tell people the winter temps and let them decide for themselves. I, for one, will be getting a heater for this winter. If it turns out I won't need it, what the worst that has happened? I wasted money on a "comfortable living insurance" (ie a heater).

I don't usually rant, but this one just got to me. Maybe it's because it's 4:45 am.

Cheers and good night/morning...

If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough...

 

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