Weather in Sanaa

Find out what weather awaits you in Sanaa. In this section, you will find up-to-date meteorological data, forecasts, and useful charts.

The climate of Sanaa can be characterized as moderately arid, with features of a high-altitude desert climate. This means that the weather here is generally comfortable throughout most of the year. Thanks to its significant altitude above sea level, Sanaa does not experience the exhausting heat typical of many other regions of Yemen, and average annual temperatures remain pleasant, making the city attractive to visit at almost any time.

In Sanaa, two main periods can be distinguished based on the temperature regime, although there are no sharp fluctuations. The warm season usually lasts from May to September, when average daytime temperatures range from +24°C to +27°C, and nights remain warm. June is often the warmest month. A cooler period is observed from December to February. During the day, the temperature stays around +20°C to +22°C, however, nights can be quite fresh, sometimes dropping to +8°C.

Precipitation in Sanaa is generally insignificant. For most of the year, especially from October to March, dry and sunny weather prevails. However, from April to September, there is a small season with more frequent rainfall. July and August stand out with the highest number of rainy days, although the rains themselves are usually short-lived and do not turn into heavy downpours. This period brings long-awaited moisture and makes the surrounding landscape greener.

Sanaa experiences a moderate temperature regime throughout the year, without extreme heat or severe cold. The annual range of average temperatures extends from approximately 14°C in December to 21.1°C in June. The hottest month is usually June, when the average maximum temperature reaches 26.8°C, and the average temperature is 21.1°C. The coolest months are December and January, with an average minimum temperature of about 7.8-8.6°C and an average daytime temperature of about 14-14.6°C.

The summer months in Sanaa, especially from May to September, are characterized by pleasant warmth. In June, the peak of the heat, daytime temperatures average up to 26.8°C, while in other summer months, such as May, July, and August, maximum temperatures fluctuate in the range of 24-25°C. Nights during this period remain comfortably cool, with minimum temperatures around 14-16°C. Such weather creates excellent conditions for walking and sightseeing, especially considering that sweltering heat is rare here.

The winter period, from December to February, brings cooler weather to Sanaa, but without frost. Daytime temperatures during these months usually stay at the level of 20-22°C, which is quite comfortable for active pastimes. However, nights become significantly colder, and the temperature can drop to 7.8°C in December. A characteristic feature of Sanaa's climate is noticeable daily temperature fluctuations throughout the year: the difference between daily highs and nightly lows is often 10-12°C, so even in the warm seasons, a light jacket or sweater may be required in the evening.

Precipitation in Sanaa is distributed unevenly throughout the year, with a clearly defined dry season. From October to February, rain here is a rarity. In particular, January, February, November, and December are the driest months, when rainfall amounts tend towards zero, and the number of rainy days is minimal – from one to three per month. This period is characterized by predominantly clear and sunny weather.

A small rainy season in Sanaa usually falls during the spring and summer months, reaching its peak from April to August. The highest amount of precipitation falls in August (about 6 mm) and July (about 4 mm). Despite the increase in rain frequency during these months, the precipitation itself is generally not abundant. For example, in August, the wettest month, there are on average 28 days with precipitation, indicating frequent but likely very light rains or short-lived drizzle, which bring freshness but do not create significant inconvenience.

Thus, the contrast between the wet and dry seasons in Sanaa is noticeable more by the frequency of precipitation than by its intensity. August stands out as the wettest month, with almost daily, albeit insignificant, precipitation. It is followed by July (on average 19 rainy days) and April (on average 16 rainy days). In contrast, the winter months, especially December with just one rainy day and zero rainfall amount, offer the driest conditions for visiting the city.

When planning a trip to Sanaa, it is important to consider the local climate features so that your wardrobe is as comfortable and practical as possible. A key principle to adopt is layering in clothing. Sanaa experiences noticeable temperature changes between day and night throughout the year. Even if it is warm during the day, it can become noticeably cooler in the evening, so a light jacket, sweater, or cardigan will be very useful. Do not forget comfortable shoes for walking along the historic streets of the city, as well as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as the sun can be quite active, especially at altitude.

In the warm season, roughly from May to September, when daytime temperatures average +24°C to +27°C, preference should be given to light and breathable clothing made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts (for protection from the sun and evening coolness), light trousers, or skirts will be the optimal choice. In the cooler season, from December to February, the daytime temperature stays around +20°C...+22°C, but nights can be quite fresh, with temperatures dropping to +8°C. During this period, you will need warmer items: sweaters, a fleece jacket, as well as a mid-season jacket.

As for precipitation, it is generally insignificant in Sanaa. From October to March, dry weather prevails, and the need for an umbrella rarely arises; in months such as January, February, November, and December, precipitation is practically absent. However, from April to August, especially in July and August, the number of days with precipitation increases, although the rains themselves are usually short-lived and not very strong. For this period, it would be useful to bring a light folding umbrella or a compact raincoat so that minor bad weather does not catch you by surprise.