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When to go · Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, month by month

The best months for Saudi Arabia: Feb, Nov. Months to avoid: May, Jun, Jul, Aug.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGoodCool days, cold desert nights; AlUla and Riyadh Season at their peak — book ahead.Najd (centre): cool · Red Sea coast: best weather · North-west highlands and desert: coolCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryGreatWarm and dry; Founding Day (22 Feb). In 2027 Ramadan starts about 8 Feb (check).Najd (centre): best weather · Red Sea coast: best weather · North-west highlands and desert: best weatherCrowds: High · 5 festivals or holidays
  3. MarchMixedPleasant, but Ramadan runs to about 9 Mar 2027 and Eid al-Fitr follows (check); dust possible.Najd (centre): best weather · Red Sea coast: best weather · North-west highlands and desert: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 5 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilMixed35 °C (95 °F)+ afternoons in Riyadh; sandstorms; still fine on the Red Sea early in the month.Najd (centre): fine · Red Sea coast: fine · North-west highlands and desert: fineCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
  5. MayAvoid40 °C (104 °F)+ in the centre; Hajj (about 14–19 May 2027) fills the west (check).Najd (centre): hot · Red Sea coast: hot · North-west highlands and desert: hotCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  6. JuneAvoidExtreme heat except Asir; Abha's summer season begins.Najd (centre): hot · Red Sea coast: hot · North-west highlands and desert: hotCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  7. JulyAvoid45 °C (113 °F)+ inland, humid coasts; Asir highlands and indoor attractions only.Najd (centre): hot · Red Sea coast: hot · North-west highlands and desert: hotCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  8. AugustAvoidThe hottest month; only for Asir, diving or business trips.Najd (centre): hot · Red Sea coast: hot · North-west highlands and desert: hotCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  9. SeptemberMixedStill hot; National Day (23 Sep) brings events and road closures.Najd (centre): hot · Red Sea coast: hot · North-west highlands and desert: fineCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
  10. OctoberGoodHeat easing late in the month; Riyadh Season and AlUla events begin.Najd (centre): fine · Red Sea coast: hot · North-west highlands and desert: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  11. NovemberGreatComfortable everywhere except Asir nights; busy with festivals and conferences.Najd (centre): best weather · Red Sea coast: fine · North-west highlands and desert: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
  12. DecemberGoodCool; peak for AlUla, Hegra and desert camping. Bring a layer.Najd (centre): cool · Red Sea coast: best weather · North-west highlands and desert: coolCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Saudi Arabia, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Feb: Great

    Nov: Great

  • Crowds

    Feb: High

    Nov: High

  • Prices

    Feb: High

    Nov: High

  • Festivals listed

    Feb: 5

    Nov: 3

February: Warm and dry; Founding Day (22 Feb). In 2027 Ramadan starts about 8 Feb (check).

November: Comfortable everywhere except Asir nights; busy with festivals and conferences.

Saudi Arabia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Najd (centre)Riyadh, Diriyah, Qassim, Edge of the WorldCoolBestBestOKHotHotHotHotHotOKBestCool
Red Sea coastJeddah, Yanbu, the Red Sea resortsBestBestBestOKHotHotHotHotHotHotOKBest
North-west highlands and desertAlUla, Hegra, Tabuk, HailCoolBestBestOKHotHotHotHotOKBestBestCool
Asir mountainsAbha, Rijal Almaa, Al-Baha, TaifCoolCoolOKOKBestBestBestBestOKOKCoolCool
Gulf coastDammam, Khobar, Al-AhsaBestBestOKHotHotHotHotHotHotOKBestBest