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Climate - Saudi Arabia


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - Saudi Arabia

Map - Saudi Arabia

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In Saudi Arabia, the climate is generally desert, and it's very hot in summer in all of the country. The rains are very scarce almost everywhere, and concentrated from November to April. There are, however, differences among the areas that are worth considering.

Index


  • The coasts - West Coast, Al Wajh, Jeddah, Mecca, Jizan, East Coast, Dammam
  • The syrian Desert - Turaif
  • The plateau - Ha'il, Riyadh, Medina, Rub' al Khali
  • The mountains - Abha

The coasts



Saudi Arabia, climate of the coasts
Along both the western and eastern coasts of Saudi Arabia, the climate is desert, and it's particularly mild in winter, even warm in the central and southern part of the Red Sea coast, while in summer, it's very hot everywhere, but it's sultry on the shores of the Red Sea, and a bit drier, and therefore torrid, on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

Red Sea Coast

On the coast of the Red Sea (called Tihamah), the average temperature in January is around 14 °C (57 °F) in the northernmost part, ie on the Gulf of Aqaba, where it can sometimes get cold at night, while it reaches 25 °C (77 °F) of the southern part, where therefore there's no real winter, and it's hot all year round. Summer is very hot everywhere.

Al Wajh

In Al Wajh, in the northern part of the coast, winter is pleasantly warm, while summer is very hot. Here are the average temperatures.
Al Wajh - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January142519.3577666.7
February152520587868.1
March172722628171.6
April203024.7678676.4
May233227.6739081.6
June243328.7759283.7
July263430789486.1
August263530.4799486.7
September253429.2779384.6
October233327.7739181.8
November193024.7678676.4
December162721.2608070.2
Year20.530.525.4568.986.878

In Al Wajh, the sun shines all year round, as we can see in the following table.
Al Wajh - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January9280
February10285
March10.5320
April11.5340
May12.5390
June13.5410
July13.5420
August13405
September12.5370
October11345
November10295
December9275
Year11.34130

The Red Sea in Al Wajh is warm enough for swimming all year round, although it goes down to 23.5 °C (74 °F) in February and March, while it gets very warm in summer. In the northernmost part, in the Gulf of Aqaba, it is a bit cool in winter, since it goes down to 21 °C (70 °F) in February and March.
Al Wajh - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January2476
February2475
March2475
April2476
May2680
June2882
July2985
August3086
September2985
October2883
November2781
December2678
Year26.780.1

Jeddah

Already in Jeddah, in the central part of the west coast, the average in January is 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Summer is very hot and humid, with highs around 38/39 °C (100/102 °F) between June and August; the heat is sweltering because of the humidity coming from the sea. By contrast, in the days when the wind blows from the interior, the temperature can reach as high as 47/49 °C (117/120 °F) from May to September. Rainfall is definitely scarce: the rainiest month is November, with only 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) of rain. Here are the average temperatures.
Jeddah - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January192923.7658474.7
February193024.3668675.8
March203225.8688978.5
April233528.6739483.5
May253731.1779988
June2638327810189.6
July273933.48110392.2
August293933.68310292.5
September273832.38110090.2
October253730.8779887.4
November233328.1739282.6
December203125.6698778
Year23.534.829.174.394.684.5

Jeddah is a very sunny city, but in summer, it can be reached by some cloud banks. However, this phenomenon is more evident in the southern part of the Red Sea coast, which from June to September is affected by cloud banks coming from Africa due to the southwest monsoon (see below), which on the mountains can also bring some rains.
Jeddah - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January7.5225
February9250
March9.5295
April11325
May12365
June11.5340
July10.5320
August10.5330
September11330
October10.5330
November8.5260
December7.5230
Year9.93605

At the latitude of Jeddah, the Red Sea in winter is a bit warmer than in the northern part of the coast.
Jeddah - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January2679
February2678
March2678
April2781
May2983
June2985
July3187
August3188
September3188
October3187
November3085
December2882
Year28.683.6

Mecca

Mecca is not right on the coast, but it lies at sea level and to the west of the mountains, so it's hot throughout the year as well, actually, it's even hotter than Jeddah, especially in summer, when highs are normally around 43/44 °C (109/111 °F).
The humidity is lower than on the coast, but the combination of humidity and temperature makes the heat oppressive. Mecca is a very hot city, in fact, during the day the temperature normally exceeds 40 °C (104 °F) for several months, from May to September; there are about 300 days with more than 32 °C (90 °F) per year, and the daily average temperature of the whole year is as high as 31.8 °C (89.2 °F). The highest record is 51.4 °C (124.5 °F), set in June 2012. Mecca is therefore one of the hottest large cities in the world. Here are the average temperatures.
Mecca - Average temperatures (1991-2019)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January193125668877
February203326.2689179.2
March223528.5719683.3
April253931.87710289.3
May284235.38310895.5
June294436.68511197.9
July304336.58611097.7
August304336.48610997.6
September2943368510996.9
October264033.27910491.8
November233629.5749685.1
December213326.6699179.9
Year25.238.531.877.3101.389

In Mecca, only 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain fall per year. Here is the average precipitation.
Mecca - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January210.84
February30.11
March70.32
April100.42
May101
June000
July100
August50.21
September50.22
October140.62
November220.94
December200.83
Year1104.322

In Mecca too, the sun shines very often; in summer, however, there can be some cloud banks coming from Africa, though there are still as many as 3,400 hours of sunshine per year.
Mecca - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January8.5260
February8.5245
March9280
April9.5280
May10305
June10.5320
July10315
August9.5300
September9.5280
October9.5300
November9265
December8250
Year9.33400

Mecca, Sacred Mosque

Jizan

In Jizan (or Gizan), in the southernmost part of the coast, winter is even warmer, while summer is a bit less hot because of the south-west winds that in this season blow in a more evident way. Average highs in the summer months are around 38 °C (100 °F); on the other hand, high humidity makes the heat sweltering. Here are the average temperatures.
Jizan - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January223126.3728779.4
February233127738880.6
March243328.6769183.4
April273530.9809687.7
May2838338310091.4
June303834.28610193.5
July303834.48710193.8
August303833.88510092.8
September293833.48410092.2
October273631.6809888.8
November253429.4779384.8
December233227.3738981.2
Year26.535.230.7579.795.387.5

Because of the southwest monsoon, in summer, it is possible to see some rain, especially in August. Here is the average rainfall.
Jizan - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January130.53
February30.11
March60.21
April140.52
May80.31
June101
July90.42
August2414
September90.42
October180.72
November120.51
December160.62
Year1355.220

The sun in Jizan shines all year round, though there is a certain decrease in the sunshine hours in summer because of the southwest monsoon.
Jizan - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January7.5235
February8230
March9275
April10300
May10.5330
June9275
July7220
August8245
September9.5280
October10315
November9.5280
December8.5255
Year8.93250

In Jizan, and on the Farasan Islands, which lie off the coast, the sea is warm all year round, and exceeds 30 °C (86 °F) from May to October.
Jizan - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January2780
February2679
March2780
April2883
May3087
June3289
July3289
August3289
September3290
October3289
November3085
December2882
Year29.685.2

Persian Gulf Coast

In the east, on the coast of the Persian Gulf, the climate is sunny and desert. Winter is mild, but it's cooler than on the Red Sea coast: the average in January is between 12 and 17 °C (54 and 63 °F); sometimes at night it can get cold, especially in the northern part, near the border with Kuwait, where lows can drop to around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F).
Summer is very hot and sunny. However, since the prevailing wind blows from the northwest, originally from the Iraqi desert, and therefore it does not come directly from the sea, the summer is a bit less humid than on the coast of the Red Sea.

Dammam

In Dammam, and in the nearby cities of Dhahran and Khobar, located in the central part of the coast, the average temperature ranges from 16 °C (61 °F) in January to 37 °C (98.5 °F) in July. Throughout the year, only 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain fall, concentrated from November to April. During winter, there can be very cool days, or even a bit cold at night. Summer is scorchingly hot, and the record is 51 °C (124 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Dammam - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January112216517160.9
February122417.8547464
March152821.5608270.7
April203426.8689280.3
May254032.47710390.4
June284335.68211096.1
July304436.98511298.4
August294436.58511097.6
September264133.77910692.7
October233729.6739885.3
November172923.3638573.9
December122418.1547564.6
Year20.83427.3569.493.281

The sun in Dammam shines all year round, however, some cloud banks can sometimes reach the area, even in summer.
Dammam - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January8245
February8.5235
March8255
April9270
May10.5325
June12355
July11.5350
August11.5350
September11330
October10.5320
November9.5280
December8245
Year9.83565

The Persian Gulf, in the central part where Dammam is located, is a bit cool from January to March, while it becomes very warm from May to November. In summer, the Persian Gulf becomes the warmest sea in the world, even more so than the Red Sea.
Dammam - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January2169
February2067
March2069
April2374
May2781
June3086
July3290
August3392
September3391
October3087
November2781
December2474
Year26.880.2

In the northernmost part, near the border with Kuwait, the sea in winter is a bit colder, in fact, the temperature drops to 18 °C (64 °F) in February and March. In contrast, in the southernmost part, in the small coastal stretch between Qatar and the Emirates, the sea in winter is a bit warmer, so much so that the water temperature does not go below 23 °C (73 °F).

The syrian Desert



Saudi Arabia, climate of the Syrian Desert
In the far north, there is an offshoot of the Syrian desert, which has a desert continental climate, with relatively cold winters, also due to the higher altitude, and hot summers.

Turaif

In Turaif, at 850 meters (2,800 ft) above sea level, the monthly average temperature ranges from 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) in January to 29.5 °C (85 °F) in August, with highs around 38 °C (100 °F). During winter, cold waves can occur: in these cases, the temperature can drop to -6/-8 °C (17/21 °F), and more rarely (given the low precipitation amount) it can even snow. On the contrary, despite the altitude, the temperature in summer can reach 43/45 °C (109/113 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Turaif - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January2137.5355645.4
February3169.4386049
March72013.5446856.3
April112618.6527865.4
May163123.7618874.7
June203527.5679681.5
July223829.67110085.3
August223829.77110085.5
September193527679580.6
October152921.9588571.4
November82114.2466957.5
December3159.2385948.6
Year12.326.419.354.179.667

Precipitation occurs from November to April and is scarce, around 80 mm (3.1 in), while from June to September, basically, it never rains.
Turaif - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January120.52
February100.42
March130.53
April120.51
May50.21
June000
July000
August000
September000
October70.31
November110.42
December90.42
Year803.114

The sun in Turaif shines all year round, but especially in summer, when the sky is almost always unclouded.
Turaif - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January7.5225
February8.5235
March9280
April10305
May12370
June14.5435
July14.5445
August13.5425
September12.5380
October10315
November8.5250
December7225
Year10.73895

The plateau



Saudi Arabia, climate of the plateau
Most of the Arabian Peninsula is occupied by a plateau, called Najd, whose altitude goes between 400 and 1,200 meters (1,300 and 4,000 feet). In addition to the rocky deserts, there is a series of sandy deserts connected to one another, called An Nafud, ad-Dahna, and Rub 'al Khali; the latter is the southernmost and largest, a huge expanse of sand. The plateau, desert and sunny like almost all of Saudi Arabia, has a fairly uniform climate: mild in winter, but with very cool or cold nights, and very hot in summer, but with low humidity. The main differences occur in winter, when the northern part is much colder than the southern one.

Rub' al Khali

Ha'il

In Ha'il, located in the northern part of the plateau at 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level, the monthly average temperature ranges from 11 °C (52 °F) in January to 32,5 °C (90.5 °F) in August. In winter, days are usually mild, while nights are often cold, and sometimes the temperature can go below freezing. In January 2008, the temperature dropped to -10 °C (14 °F). In summer, the temperature can reach 44/46 °C (111/115 °F) from June to September.
Here are the average temperatures.
Hail - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January41810.8396451.4
February62013.1426955.5
March102416.9497662.5
April153022.3598672.1
May203527.3689581.2
June233930.87310287.4
July244031.87510389.2
August244032.47610590.4
September2238307110186
October173324.7629176.4
November102417.3507663.1
December62012.5426754.6
Year1530.122.558.986.272.5

Precipitation amounts to 150 mm (6 in) per year, with a maximum of 40 mm (1.6 in) in November, and no rains from June to September.
Hail - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January200.83
February100.42
March2513
April2514
May150.62
June000
July000
August000
September000
October100.42
November401.63
December100.42
Year1556.121

Riyadh

Riyadh, the capital, is located in the center of the country, at 600 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level. Winter, from December to February, is mild, the average in January being 14 °C (57 °F). Sometimes at night, the temperature can approach freezing. At the airport, the temperature dropped to -4.5 °C (24 °F) in January 1992 and to -5 °C (23 °F) in January 2008. However, there are also warm days, with temperature close to 30 °C (86 °F) even in winter. In summer, from June to September, it never rains, and the temperatures are very high, around 44 °C (111 °F) in July and August, but with peaks around 47 °C (117 °F). However, relative humidity is very low.
Ryadh - Average temperatures (1991-2010)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January72114456957.2
February102416.7497562
March142820.8578269.5
April193426.3669279.3
May243931.77510389.1
June264334.47910993.9
July274435.68111196
August274435.48111195.7
September244132.37510590.1
October193627.2669681
November132720.4568168.8
December92215.6487260.1
Year18.333.625.8564.992.478.5

Throughout the year, only 100 mm (4 in) of rain fall, almost all occurring from November to April, with a maximum of 20/25 mm (0.9/1.0 in) per month in March and April.
Ryadh - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January170.76
February90.44
March220.910
April26112
May60.23
June000
July000
August000
September000
October101
November130.54
December170.76
Year1104.446

The sun in Riyadh shines all year round, however, here too, some cloud banks can sometimes reach the area, even in summer.
Ryadh - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January7210
February8225
March7220
April8240
May9.5290
June11330
July10.5330
August10310
September9270
October10310
November9270
December7215
Year8.83225

Medina

Medina is located in the west, at 600 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level like Riyadh, but it's milder than the capital in winter, since the January average is 18 °C (64 °F), with highs around 24.5 °C (76 °F). Sometimes it can get cold at night, but more rarely than in Riyadh; the temperature dropped to 1 ° C in January 2008. Actually, the temperature often reaches 28/30 °C (82/86 °F) even in winter. Summer is similar to that of Riyadh, that is, scorchingly hot and sunny. Here are the average temperatures.
Medina - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January122418.2547664.7
February142720.5578169
March173124.1638775.3
April223628.6719683.4
May264032.87910491
June2943368410996.8
July304336.48610997.5
August314437.28711198.9
September294235.58310895.8
October233730.4749986.6
November183124.3648775.7
December142620577967.9
Year2235.328.671.795.683.5

In Medina too, rainfall is scarce, since it amounts to just 60 mm (2.4 in) per year, most of which falls from November to May. However, every now and then, a thunderstorm can break out in the summer, or rather, there may be thunder and lightning, especially in August, though usually without rain.
Medina - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January60.23
February30.11
March100.43
April100.44
May50.23
June000
July100
August40.22
September001
October20.12
November100.43
December80.33
Year602.325

Rub' al Khali

In the south, the desert of Rub 'al Khali, uninhabited and mysterious, is quite warm even in winter, with highs in January around 25/26 °C (77/79 °F). At night, it can get pretty cool, but temperatures do not drop below freezing. In summer, the southernmost part of this desert is brushed by the south-west monsoon; in fact, some cloud banks may pass over the area, and sometimes, even a rain shower may occur.
Very rarely, the Rub 'al Khali desert may be affected by the remains of tropical cyclones coming from the Arabian Sea, which can bring sand storms, and unusual rains in the middle of the desert, as happened in May 2018 with Cyclone Mekunu. Cyclones form from May to December, and are more frequent at the beginning of the period (May-June) and a little less at the end (October-December).

In Saudi Arabia, there are practically no rivers of any importance, but as happens in desert countries, there are many dry riverbeds, called wadis, which can sometimes turn into ephemeral streams after the rains, which are usually short but violent.

The mountains



Saudi Arabia, climate of the western mountains
The western part of Saudi Arabia, known as Hejaz, is crossed by a mountain range parallel to the coast of the Red Sea. In the north (the area circled in green on the map), the climate is desert, with no summer rainfall, though some rains are possible in winter, and even snowfalls at the highest altitudes, as happens in Jebel al Lawz, 2,580 meters (8,465 feet) high, located in the north-west.

In the southern part of the mountains, in the Asir, Jizan and Al-Bahah regions (burgundy area), there are several peaks above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), among which is the highest mountain of Saudi Arabia, Jabal Sawda, 2,990 meters (9,810 feet) high. In this area, the climate is obviously tempered by altitude, in addition, in summer, especially in the southern part, it is affected by the southwest monsoon, a wet current affecting southern Arabia, which brings a bit of rain from June to September, as well as widespread cloudiness. Some rain may fall also in spring, between March and May. In some areas, precipitation exceeds 250 mm (10 in) per year, so the climate is semi-arid rather than desert. On the southwest-facing slopes, there are verdant landscapes and terraces, where water springs are used for irrigation.

Abha

In Abha, located in the Asir National Park, at 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level, the average temperature ranges from 14 °C (57 °F) in January to 24.5 °C (76 °F) in July. Here are the average temperatures.
Abha - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January82014466857.3
February102215.7497160.3
March122317.5537463.5
April132619.6567967.4
May152922.2608471.9
June173124.3638875.7
July183124.4648875.8
August173123.9638775
September163022.8608673
October122619.3547966.8
November102316.4497361.5
December82114.5467058.1
Year1326.119.555.47967

The rainiest season in Abha is spring, but some rains occur even in summer. Here is the average precipitation.
Abha - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January180.74
February140.64
March471.97
April481.910
May240.98
June80.34
July170.77
August240.911
September50.22
October30.12
November50.22
December50.23
Year2208.663

The sun in Abha often shines all year round, but the least sunny months are July and August.
Abha - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January8.5265
February9.5265
March9.5295
April9.5280
May9.5290
June9275
July7.5230
August7.5240
September9275
October9.5290
November9275
December8.5265
Year8.93250

Asir Mountains, Arabia
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