Weather in Riyadh

Planning a trip or just interested in the weather in Riyadh? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date information on weather conditions, as well as forecasts and useful charts.

The climate in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is characterised as desert (arid). This means very hot, long, and dry summers, as well as mild, predominantly dry winters. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations both throughout the year and during the day, which is typical for desert regions.

Two main seasons are clearly defined. The summer months, especially from May to September, are distinguished by extremely high temperatures: average values often exceed 30-35°C, while maximums can reach and even surpass 42-43°C in June and July. Winters, from December to February, are significantly milder, with average daytime temperatures around 14-17°C. However, nights during the winter period can be quite cool, with temperatures sometimes dropping to 8-10°C. Spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November) are short transitional periods with comfortable warm weather.

One of the most notable features of the climate in Riyadh is the extremely low amount of rainfall throughout the year. Data shows an almost complete absence of rain for many months, with a minimal number of wet days even in the cooler season. This makes Riyadh one of the driest cities in the world. Travellers should be prepared for intense solar radiation and very dry air at any time of the year.

The annual temperature progression in Riyadh demonstrates significant contrasts, typical of a desert climate. The hottest months are June, July, and August. The absolute peak of heat falls in July, when the average temperature reaches 36.1°C, and daytime highs regularly rise to 43.1°C. Even in June and August, average temperatures are 34.8°C and 35.5°C respectively, with maximum values exceeding 42°C. The coolest time of the year is considered to be the period from December to January. January is the coldest month: the average temperature drops to 14.5°C, and nightly lows can reach 8.5°C.

The summer period in Riyadh, which effectively begins as early as May (average temperature 31.3°C, maximum 38.1°C) and continues until September (average temperature 32.8°C, maximum 39.9°C), is characterised by intense and dry heat. During the peak summer months – June, July, August – the air warms up to extreme levels. Even nights remain very warm during this time: average minimum temperatures in July and August are 29.2°C and 28.5°C respectively. Precipitation in the summer months is practically absent, which exacerbates the sensation of heat.

Winter, covering December, January, and February, brings tangible cooling and more comfortable conditions to Riyadh. During the day, the air temperature in these months is quite pleasant: average maximum values range from 20.5°C in January to 23.6°C in February. However, nights become noticeably cool. Average minimum temperatures in January drop to 8.5°C, in December to 10.0°C, and in February to 10.6°C. Significant diurnal temperature variations throughout the year are characteristic of Riyadh's climate: the difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows often reaches 12-15°C, which is especially noticeable in the winter period and the off-season.

Riyadh is characterised by an extremely arid climate, and precipitation data clearly confirms this. Throughout the year, the average monthly rainfall is 0 mm. This means that significant rains capable of leading to measurable moisture accumulation are an extreme rarity here. The city is practically constantly in dry season conditions.

Despite zero measurable precipitation, statistics record so-called "wet days". The highest number of such days falls in January and April (3 days on average each), as well as in November and December (2 days each). In February, March, and May, only one "wet day" each is noted. This likely indicates days with very insignificant, trace precipitation, such as light drizzle or mist, which are not registered as full-fledged rain. Snow does not fall in the climatic conditions of Riyadh.

Absolutely dry months, when not even "wet days" are recorded, are the summer and early autumn periods: June, July, August, September, and October. At this time, the probability of any precipitation tends to zero. Thus, although January and April can formally be highlighted as months with the highest probability of "wet days", overall Riyadh remains one of the driest cities in the world, where precipitation is an extremely rare phenomenon at any time of the year.

When packing for Riyadh, it is important to consider its desert climate with hot sun and dry air all year round. Regardless of the season, your suitcase must contain sunscreen with high SPF, sunglasses, and headwear (such as a hat or cap) for protection against intense solar radiation. Opt for clothing made of light, breathable natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen, which will help you tolerate the heat more easily. Given the almost complete absence of precipitation throughout the year (average monthly rainfall is 0 mm), an umbrella or raincoat will most likely not be needed.

The summer months in Riyadh (from May to September) are characterised by extremely high temperatures, often exceeding 40-43°C in June and July. During this period, choose maximally light, loose, and light-coloured clothing. In winter (from December to February), daytime temperatures are significantly milder, around 14-17°C on average, with maximums up to 20-23°C, but nights can be quite cool, with temperatures dropping to 8-10°C. Therefore, for a winter trip and transitional seasons (March-April, October-November), the layering principle is ideal: light clothing for the day and warmer items (sweater, fleece, or light jacket) for the evening and early morning.

Besides basic clothing, do not forget to take comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking. Due to the very dry air, moisturising skin cream and lip balm will prove useful. A light scarf or stole may come in handy not only for additional protection from the sun but also for warmth on a cool evening or in heavily air-conditioned spaces. Although wind data is not specified, in desert conditions it can be a factor, especially in the off-season, so a scarf can also provide some protection against dust.