Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In Medina (
Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, "The Enlightened City"), the climate is
desert (in the Köppen classification: hot desert climate - BWh), with quite warm winters and very hot, sunny summers.
The city is located in the west of Saudi Arabia, 150 kilometers (95 miles) from the Red Sea coast and 350 km (215 mi) north of Mecca, at 600 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level and at almost 25 degrees north latitude.
We are in a
mountainous area, occupied by the Hijaz (or Hejaz) chain, in fact, to the south and west of Medina there are peaks that reach 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) above sea level. In the immediate vicinity of the city, on the other hand, there are low mountains that exceed 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) above sea level, such as Mount Uhud, 1,077 meters (3,533 ft) high.
In Medina the
rainfall is very low, around 60 millimeters (2.3 inches) per year. Most occur from November to May, however, they are irregular from year to year. Furthermore, since the rains can sometimes be intense and concentrated in time,
flash floods can occasionally occur.
In July and August, thunderstorms can occasionally break out (perhaps only with thunder and lightning, i.e. without rain).
The
winter, from December to February, is quite warm, and is warmer than in the capital, Riyadh, which is still located at the same latitude and altitude, but is more exposed to cold air irruptions. In fact, in Medina the cold outbreaks from the north produce modest effects, and the temperature never drops below freezing, but at least it reached 1 °C (34 °F) in January 2008.
The
summer, from May to September, is very hot and sunny. However, the humidity is very low, especially in June. Daytime temperatures are similar to those of Riyadh, while nighttime temperatures are higher.
On the hottest days, the temperature can exceed 45 °C (113 °F). The records from June to September are 48/49 °C (118/120 °F).
Medina - Climate data
In Medina, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 37.2 °C (98.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Medina - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
---|
January | 12 | 24.4 | 18.2 | 54 | 76 | 64.7 |
---|
February | 14 | 27 | 20.5 | 57 | 81 | 69 |
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March | 17.3 | 30.8 | 24.1 | 63 | 87 | 75.3 |
---|
April | 21.6 | 35.5 | 28.6 | 71 | 96 | 83.4 |
---|
May | 25.8 | 39.7 | 32.8 | 79 | 104 | 91 |
---|
June | 28.9 | 43 | 36 | 84 | 109 | 96.8 |
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July | 29.8 | 43 | 36.4 | 86 | 109 | 97.5 |
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August | 30.5 | 43.8 | 37.2 | 87 | 111 | 98.9 |
---|
September | 28.6 | 42.4 | 35.5 | 83 | 108 | 95.8 |
---|
October | 23.4 | 37.3 | 30.4 | 74 | 99 | 86.6 |
---|
November | 18 | 30.5 | 24.3 | 64 | 87 | 75.7 |
---|
December | 13.9 | 26 | 20 | 57 | 79 | 67.9 |
---|
Year | 22 | 35.3 | 28.6 | 71.7 | 95.6 | 83.5 |
---|
Precipitation amounts to 60 millimeters (2.4 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from 0.2 mm (0 in) in the driest month (June) to 13.9 mm (0.5 in) in the wettest one (November). Here is the average precipitation.
Medina - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
---|
January | 9 | 0.3 | 3 |
---|
February | 3 | 0.1 | 1 |
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March | 5 | 0.2 | 3 |
---|
April | 6 | 0.3 | 4 |
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May | 4 | 0.2 | 3 |
---|
June | 0 | 0 | 0 |
---|
July | 1 | 0.1 | 0 |
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August | 4 | 0.2 | 2 |
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September | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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October | 5 | 0.2 | 2 |
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November | 14 | 0.5 | 3 |
---|
December | 7 | 0.3 | 3 |
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Year | 60 | 2.4 | 25 |
---|
There are on average around 3880
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Medina - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
---|
January | 8.5 | 255 | February | 9.5 | 265 | March | 10 | 305 | April | 11 | 325 | May | 12 | 370 | June | 13 | 385 | July | 12.5 | 380 | August | 12 | 370 | September | 12 | 355 | October | 11 | 340 | November | 9 | 275 | December | 8 | 250 | Year | 10.6 | 3880 |
Medina - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.4 °C (75.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in January 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in January 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 8.6 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 35%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
February is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.3 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 36.6 °C (97.9 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 28%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
March is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.1 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) and a maximum of 30.8 °C (87.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in March 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 39.8 °C (103.6 °F) in March 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 5.3 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 82% of the time.
The average humidity is 21%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
April is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) and a maximum of 35.5 °C (95.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40.5 °C (104.5 °F). However, it reached 43 °C (109.4 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 6.5 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 86% of the time.
The average humidity is 19%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
May is generally a scorchingly hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 32.8 °C (91 °F), with a minimum of 25.8 °C (78.5 °F) and a maximum of 39.7 °C (103.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in May 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 43.5 °C (110.5 °F). However, it reached 46 °C (114.8 °F) in May 1999.
Precipitation amounts to only 4.5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 90% of the time.
The average humidity is 15%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
June is generally a scorchingly hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 36 °C (97 °F), with a minimum of 28.9 °C (84.1 °F) and a maximum of 43 °C (109.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 25 °C (76.5 °F). However, it dropped to 23 °C (73.4 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 45.5 °C (114 °F). However, it reached 48.1 °C (118.6 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to only 0.2 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 13 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 94% of the time.
The average humidity is 10%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
July is generally a scorchingly hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 36.4 °C (97 °F), with a minimum of 29.8 °C (85.6 °F) and a maximum of 43 °C (109.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it dropped to 23 °C (73.4 °F) in July 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 46.5 °C (115.5 °F). However, it reached 49 °C (120.2 °F) in July 2005.
Precipitation amounts to only 1.3 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 12.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 91% of the time.
The average humidity is 12%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a scorchingly hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 37.2 °C (99 °F), with a minimum of 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) and a maximum of 43.8 °C (110.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it dropped to 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) in August 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 46.5 °C (116 °F). However, it reached 48.5 °C (119.3 °F) in August 2011.
Precipitation amounts to only 3.9 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 92% of the time.
The average humidity is 14%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
September is generally a scorchingly hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 35.5 °C (96 °F), with a minimum of 28.6 °C (83.4 °F) and a maximum of 42.4 °C (108.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it dropped to 22 °C (71.6 °F) in September 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 45 °C (113.5 °F). However, it reached 46.4 °C (115.5 °F) in September 2012.
Precipitation amounts to only 0.3 mm (0 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 96% of the time.
The average humidity is 12%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
October is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 30.4 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) and a maximum of 37.3 °C (99.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in October 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41 °C (105.5 °F). However, it reached 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in October 1999.
Precipitation amounts to only 5.2 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 94% of the time.
The average humidity is 17%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
November is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.3 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 18 °C (64.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.5 °C (86.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in November 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in November 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 13.9 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 31%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in December 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in December 2001.
Precipitation amounts to only 7 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 36%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).