Climate in Saudi Arabia is extremely dry. The Arabian Peninsula is one of the driest places on Earth. At summer temperature may rise to 50 °C (122 °F). Snow falls only in western mountains and even not every year.

Saudi Arabia has vast territory thus weather conditions vary. Along with vast desert areas there are places with hard showers and even hurricanes. Overall climatic conditions of the country are extremely hot summer, warm winter and exceedingly dry air. Almost the whole territory of the country is deprived of rivers and kind of water sources. As extreme heat isn’t enough by itself summer winds bring sandstorms.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Saudi Arabia

Saudi spring is short and fast. Day by day temperature rises and by the middle of March it reaches 26 °C (79 °F) and 33 °C (91 °F) in coasts of the Red Sea. Already negligible amount of precipitation becomes even fewer.

At April escalation of temperature continues. Daytime temperature never goes lower 32 °C (90 °F) and at night about 25 °C (77 °C). Exceptions are mountainous areas and desert (colder nights with about 8 °C; 46 °F) and shores of Red Sea with even hotter days (about 37 °C; 99 °F). At May in Saudi Arabia begins long exhausting summer. Thermometer shows about 38 °C (100 °F) and growing. Hottest months are still ahead.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F) Min average t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 7 mm (0.3")

April Max average t°: +33 °C (91 °F) Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 13 mm (0.5")

May Max average t°: +39 °C (102 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 13 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 5.5 mm (0.2")

(Riyadh)

Summer in Saudi Arabia

Beginning of summer season brings sandstorms driven by summer south winds samum and hamsin. June means inevitable approach of extreme heat. At July temperature reaches annual peak and stops somewhere around 50 °C (122 °F). Temperature in the shade never drops below 42 °C (108 °C) and night brings no relief (about 28 °C; 82 °F).

On the other hand nights in desert are cold with about 0 °C (32 °F). Due to high humidity and breeze weather (although same hot) in coasts of the Red Sea is more tolerable. Summer heat remains through whole August without indulgence.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +42 °C (107 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (78 °F) Sundial in the day: 13.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.0 mm (0.00")

July Max average t°: +43 °C (109 °F) Min average t°: +27 °C (80 °F) Sundial in the day: 13 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.0 mm (0.00")

August Max average t°: +42 °C (108 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.1 mm (0.004")

(Riyadh)

Autumn in Saudi Arabia

Weather at September is quite similar to May. Yet temperature starts to go down slowly but surely. Some kind of relief comes only at October. Temperature is in the range of 30 °C (86 °F) which is hard to actually call comfortable.

November is even cooler. Average daytime temperature is somewhere between 23 and 26 °C (73-79 °F). It is perfect time to visit Saudi Arabia. Sun won’t dry you while travelling and the Red Sea is just perfect even regarding slightly higher temperature.

Saudi Arabia isn’t quite welcoming country with strict rules and severe weather but those who decide to visit it are definitely should plan voyage on October of November. March or April are good too with their soft warmth and relatively calm winds.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +40 °C (104 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.0 mm (0.00")

October Max average t°: +34.5 °C (94 °F) Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 11.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.0 mm (0.00")

November Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 15 mm (0.6")

(Riyadh)

Winter in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia there’s no winter in its usual meaning. Winter months are just the coolest time of a tear. Average daytime temperature is about 20 °C (68 °F). There’s even probability of snow in western mountains of Jiraz. Not for certain but chance is always there. More likely there will be fogs.

January is the coldest month. Occasionally temperature drops to 8 °C (46 °F). February is the rainiest one. If something can be called rainy in country with 100 to 200 mm (3.9 – 7.8”) of annual precipitation. At February temperature is slightly higher. Yet swimming if the Red Sea is available year-round.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: +9.5 °C (49 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 3 mm (0.1")

January Max average t°: +20 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (47 °F) Sundial in the day: 11.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 4 mm (0.2")

February Max average t°: +23 °C (74 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (51 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation:7 mm (0.3")

(Riyadh)

Concerning Holidays in Saudi Arabia

All holidays in Saudi Arabia are bonded to dates of Islamic Calendar which is 10 or 11 days shorter than Gregorian. Thus due to bias of dates and features of Islamic chronology matching them between calendars become rather tricky.

Public sources mainly mention three holidays: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Saudi National Day. First two of them may be observer officially for 10 to 12 days and from 3 to 7 by private institutions. Al-Yaom-ul-Watany (Saudi National Day) is somehow held at 23 September for one day.