When to go · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia in July
Avoid month. 45 °C (113 °F)+ inland, humid coasts; Asir highlands and indoor attractions only.Avoid month. 113 °F (45 °C)+ inland, humid coasts; Asir highlands and indoor attractions only.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Crowds
- Low
- Saudi Arabia
- Prices
- Low
- Saudi Arabia
Verdict
45 °C (113 °F)+ inland, humid coasts; Asir highlands and indoor attractions only.113 °F (45 °C)+ inland, humid coasts; Asir highlands and indoor attractions only.
Is another month better than July?
July is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- NovemberGreatComfortable everywhere except Asir nights; busy with festivals and conferences.
- FebruaryGreatWarm and dry; Founding Day (22 Feb). In 2027 Ramadan starts about 8 Feb (check).
- OctoberGoodHeat easing late in the month; Riyadh Season and AlUla events begin.
- DecemberGoodCool; peak for AlUla, Hegra and desert camping. Bring a layer.
Weather in July
- Najd (centre) · Riyadh, Diriyah, Qassim, Edge of the Worldhot
Dry desert: 45 °C (113 °F)+ June–August, cold nights (5–10 °C (41–50 °F)) in January; dust storms March–May.Dry desert: 113 °F (45 °C)+ June–August, cold nights (41–50 °F (5–10 °C)) in January; dust storms March–May.
- Red Sea coast · Jeddah, Yanbu, the Red Sea resortshot
Humid all year; summer feels like 45–50 °C (113–122 °F) with the humidity. Winter is the only comfortable walking season.Humid all year; summer feels like 113–122 °F (45–50 °C) with the humidity. Winter is the only comfortable walking season.
- North-west highlands and desert · AlUla, Hegra, Tabuk, Hailhot
Near-freezing desert nights in December–January (snow some years on Jabal al-Lawz near Tabuk); hot but dry summers.
- Asir mountains · Abha, Rijal Almaa, Al-Baha, Taifbest weather
2,000 m+: the summer escape, 20–30 °C (68–86 °F) with afternoon storms and fog; cold in winter.2,000 m+: the summer escape, 68–86 °F (20–30 °C) with afternoon storms and fog; cold in winter.
- Gulf coast · Dammam, Khobar, Al-Ahsahot
Very humid summers; shamal winds bring dust in early summer.
- Asir: Abha and the highlands · Asir Province, 2,200–3,000 mbest weather
The summer escape: 20–28 °C (68–82 °F) days when the rest of the country is 40 °C (104 °F)+. Afternoon rain June–September; nights need a layer.The summer escape: 68–82 °F (20–28 °C) days when the rest of the country is 104 °F (40 °C)+. Afternoon rain June–September; nights need a layer.
- Asir: Jizan and the Tihama coast · Red Sea plain below the escarpmenthot
Hot and humid most of the year; comfortable roughly November–March.
- Eastern Province: Gulf coast (Dammam, Khobar, Jubail, Qatif) · coast and islandshot
Humid heat May–Sep; the coast is milder than inland but still 40 °C (104 °F)+ in July–August.Humid heat May–Sep; the coast is milder than inland but still 104 °F (40 °C)+ in July–August.
- Eastern Province: Al-Ahsa / Hofuf · inland oasishot
Desert-inland: hotter days and cooler nights than the coast; spring dust storms are possible.
- Hejaz: Jeddah and the Red Sea coast · Jeddah, Yanbu, KAEChot
Humid heat May–Sep, 38–42 °C (100–108 °F); the best window is November to March.Humid heat May–Sep, 100–108 °F (38–42 °C); the best window is November to March.
- Hejaz: Mecca and the interior · Mecca, Medinahot
Hotter and drier than the coast; Medina nights cool in winter.
- Hejaz: Ta'if highlands · Ta'if and the Sarawat escarpmentfine
1,500 m+; the summer escape, rose harvest in April.
- Nejd: Riyadh and central Nejd · Riyadh, Al-Aflaj, Wadi al-Dawasirhot
Desert climate: mild winters (10–20 °C (50–68 °F) days), very hot summers (40 °C (104 °F)+). Rain is rare and falls mainly Nov–Apr.Desert climate: mild winters (50–68 °F (10–20 °C) days), very hot summers (104 °F (40 °C)+). Rain is rare and falls mainly Nov–Apr.
- Nejd: Al-Qassim and Ha'il (north Nejd) · Buraydah, Onizah, Ha'il, Jubbahhot
Higher and slightly cooler than Riyadh; winter nights near freezing, summer days still 38–42 °C (100–108 °F).Higher and slightly cooler than Riyadh; winter nights near freezing, summer days still 100–108 °F (38–42 °C).
- North Saudi Arabia: Tabuk and the northwest · Tabuk, Duba, NEOM coasthot
Highland Tabuk is cooler than the coast; summer days inland pass 40 °C (104 °F). Winter nights can be cold.Highland Tabuk is cooler than the coast; summer days inland pass 104 °F (40 °C). Winter nights can be cold.
- North Saudi Arabia: Jawf · Sakakah, Qurayyathot
Desert climate: big day–night swings, occasional winter frost, dust storms in spring.
- Riyadh44 °C (111 °F) / 28 °C (82 °F), 0 rain days111 °F (44 °C) / 82 °F (28 °C), 0 rain days
- Abha31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 4 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 4 rain days
- Al‑Aflaj44 °C (111 °F) / 28 °C (82 °F), 0 rain days111 °F (44 °C) / 82 °F (28 °C), 0 rain days
- AlUla42 °C (108 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 0 rain days108 °F (42 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 0 rain days
- Buraydah45 °C (113 °F) / 29 °C (84 °F), 0 rain days113 °F (45 °C) / 84 °F (29 °C), 0 rain days
- Dhahran43 °C (109 °F) / 32 °C (90 °F), 0 rain days109 °F (43 °C) / 90 °F (32 °C), 0 rain days
- Diriyah46 °C (115 °F) / 30 °C (86 °F), 0 rain days115 °F (46 °C) / 86 °F (30 °C), 0 rain days
- Duba40 °C (104 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 0 rain days104 °F (40 °C) / 81 °F (27 °C), 0 rain days
- Ha'il46 °C (115 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days115 °F (46 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
- Hofuf46.1 °C (115 °F) / 29.8 °C (86 °F), 0.1 rain days115 °F (46.1 °C) / 86 °F (29.8 °C), 0.1 rain days
- Jizan41 °C (106 °F) / 31 °C (88 °F), 0 rain days106 °F (41 °C) / 88 °F (31 °C), 0 rain days
- Jubail43 °C (109 °F) / 32 °C (90 °F), 0 rain days109 °F (43 °C) / 90 °F (32 °C), 0 rain days
- Khamis Mushayt32 °C (90 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 23 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 23 rain days
- Khaybar44 °C (111 °F) / 29 °C (84 °F), 0 rain days111 °F (44 °C) / 84 °F (29 °C), 0 rain days
- Khobar43 °C (109 °F) / 29 °C (84 °F), 0 rain days109 °F (43 °C) / 84 °F (29 °C), 0 rain days
- King Abdullah Economic City42 °C (108 °F) / 30 °C (86 °F), 0 rain days108 °F (42 °C) / 86 °F (30 °C), 0 rain days
- Najran39 °C (102 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 1 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 81 °F (27 °C), 1 rain days
- Neom39 °C (102 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
- Onizah45 °C (113 °F) / 28 °C (82 °F), 0 rain days113 °F (45 °C) / 82 °F (28 °C), 0 rain days
- Qatif43 °C (109 °F) / 29 °C (84 °F), 0 rain days109 °F (43 °C) / 84 °F (29 °C), 0 rain days
- Qurayyat42 °C (108 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days108 °F (42 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
- Sakakah42 °C (108 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days108 °F (42 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
- Tabuk38 °C (100 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 0 rain days
- Ta'if35.6 °C (96 °F) / 23.6 °C (74 °F), 2 rain days96 °F (35.6 °C) / 74 °F (23.6 °C), 2 rain days
- Wadi al-Dawasir44 °C (111 °F) / 30 °C (86 °F), 0 rain days111 °F (44 °C) / 86 °F (30 °C), 0 rain days
- Yanbu45 °C (113 °F) / 33 °C (91 °F), 0 rain days113 °F (45 °C) / 91 °F (33 °C), 0 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Friday prayer
Every Friday
Most shops closed until after midday prayer (about 13:00); malls open in the afternoon.
Eid al-Adha check
Islamic calendar, moves yearly · Riyadh
Multi-day holiday; travel is heavy.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Saudi Arabia
- Low
- Prices · Saudi Arabia
- Low
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Saudi Arabia, side by side.
Verdict
Jul: Avoid
Feb: Great (better)
Crowds
Jul: Low
Feb: High
Prices
Jul: Low
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Jul: 2
Feb: 5
July: 45 °C+ inland, humid coasts; Asir highlands and indoor attractions only.
February: Warm and dry; Founding Day (22 Feb). In 2027 Ramadan starts about 8 Feb (check).
Saudi Arabia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
Where to go in July
Rated best or good this month
Asir mountains
Best weather of the year (Abha, Rijal Almaa, Al-Baha, Taif)
Best months: May–Sep
Best months: May–Sep (cooler than the rest of Saudi Arabia)
Best months: Apr–Sep (rose harvest Apr–May)
Better another month
Extreme heat, 45°C (113°F) possible.Extreme heat, 113°F (45°C) possible.