Saudi Arabia in May

40 °C (104 °F)+ in the centre; Hajj (about 14–19 May 2027) fills the west (check).104 °F (40 °C)+ in the centre; Hajj (about 14–19 May 2027) fills the west (check).

May 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.

• 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 escarpmentbest weather

  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 coastfine

  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, Qurayyatbest weather

  Desert climate: big day–night swings, occasional winter frost, dust storms in spring.

• Riyadh39 °C (102 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 1 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 1 rain days
• Abha29 °C (84 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 6 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 6 rain days
• Al‑Aflaj38 °C (100 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 0 rain days
• AlUla38 °C (100 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 0 rain days
• Buraydah40 °C (104 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 1 rain days104 °F (40 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 1 rain days
• Dhahran38 °C (100 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 1 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 81 °F (27 °C), 1 rain days
• Diriyah42 °C (108 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 0 rain days108 °F (42 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 0 rain days
• Duba35 °C (95 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 0 rain days95 °F (35 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 0 rain days
• Ha'il38 °C (100 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 0 rain days
• Hofuf41.8 °C (107 °F) / 25.2 °C (77 °F), 3.1 rain days107 °F (41.8 °C) / 77 °F (25.2 °C), 3.1 rain days
• Jizan35 °C (95 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days95 °F (35 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days
• Jubail38 °C (100 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 1 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 81 °F (27 °C), 1 rain days
• Khamis Mushayt30 °C (86 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 34 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 34 rain days
• Khaybar40 °C (104 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 1 rain days104 °F (40 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 1 rain days
• Khobar39 °C (102 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 0 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 0 rain days
• King Abdullah Economic City39 °C (102 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 0 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 81 °F (27 °C), 0 rain days
• Najran37 °C (99 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days99 °F (37 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 2 rain days
• Neom35 °C (95 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 0 rain days95 °F (35 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 0 rain days
• Onizah40 °C (104 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 3 rain days104 °F (40 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 3 rain days
• Qatif39 °C (102 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 0 rain days102 °F (39 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 0 rain days
• Qurayyat36 °C (97 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 1 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 1 rain days
• Sakakah36 °C (97 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 1 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 1 rain days
• Tabuk34 °C (93 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 1 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 1 rain days
• Ta'if33.9 °C (93 °F) / 19.3 °C (67 °F), 35 rain days93 °F (33.9 °C) / 67 °F (19.3 °C), 35 rain days
• Wadi al-Dawasir40 °C (104 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 1 rain days104 °F (40 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 1 rain days
• Yanbu38 °C (100 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 0 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 0 rain days

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.

• Hajj and Eid al-Adha big impact

  About 14–19 May 2027 (lunar — check)

  Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah under pilgrim restrictions; Umrah permits paused; domestic travel and hotels booked out; several days of closures nationwide.

• 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 · Saudi Arabia

Medium

Prices · Saudi Arabia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

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

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Asir mountains

  Best weather of the year (Abha, Rijal Almaa, Al-Baha, Taif)

• Abha

  Best months: May–Sep

• Khamis Mushayt

  Best months: May–Sep (cooler than the rest of Saudi Arabia)

• Ta'if

  Best months: Apr–Sep (rose harvest Apr–May)

Better another month

• Riyadh

  40°C (104°F)+; sandstorms.104°F (40°C)+; sandstorms.