RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is entering the peak of its summer season, with long-term climate records indicating that July is typically the hottest month of the year across the Kingdom.
According to an analysis released by the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) of July weather patterns between 1985 and 2025, the month records an average temperature of 33.1°C — with an average maximum temperature of 40.3°C — and an average rainfall of 3.34 mm, based on the 1991–2020 climate baseline.
Figure from the National Center for Meteorology’s report showing the highest average temperature in July.
Geographically, average temperatures during July are highest across the Eastern Province and large parts of central Saudi Arabia, where average maximum temperatures exceed 44°C in some areas. Meanwhile, the lowest temperatures are recorded across the southwestern highlands, particularly in Asir, Al-Baha, and Taif.
The records also show that 2017 recorded the highest average maximum temperature during July over the 2016–2025 period, reaching 42.01°C. The lowest average maximum temperature was recorded at 39.66°C in 2022.
In terms of prevalence of extreme heat across several regions of the Kingdom, Al-Ahsa recorded the highest July temperature among monitored stations, reaching 51.3°C on July 12, 2024. Rafha followed with 51.1°C on July 30, 2020, while Dammam recorded 50.8°C on July 12, 2024, and Al-Qaisumah reached 50.6°C on July 16, 2010, and again on July 31, 2020.
Figure from the National Center for Meteorology’s report showing 2017 recording the highest temperature in the month of July.
For long-term averages, Al-Ahsa recorded temperatures of 45°C or higher on average for 24 days in July, the highest frequency among monitored stations. Dammam and Al-Qaisumah each averaged 18 such days, while Wadi Al-Dawasir records an averaged of 13 days per month above the 45°C threshold.
While much of the Kingdom experiences dry conditions during July, rainfall is concentrated across the southwestern and southern regions, particularly the mountainous areas of Asir, Jazan, and Al-Baha.
Figure from the National Center for Meteorology’s report showing the distribution and concentration of the temperatures across the Kingdom.
Among the monitored stations, Khamis Mushait records the highest average July rainfall at 22.5 mm, followed by Abha at 22.0 mm and Jazan at 16.4 mm. Most stations across central, northern, and eastern Saudi Arabia receive little to no rainfall during the month.
Rainfall totals have varied significantly from year to year. In the last decade, 2020 recorded the highest July rainfall average, at 15.12 mm, while 2023 recorded the lowest, at only 0.12 mm.
Figure from the National Center for Meteorology’s report showing the concentration of rainfall in the south-west of the kingdom.
The report also documents several notable rainfall events. The highest daily rainfall in July among monitored stations was recorded in Jazan, with 67.2 mm falling on July 26, 1995. There is also a record of 47 mm in Wadi Al-Dawasir on July 30, 2012, 46.8 mm in Al-Baha on July 31, 1986, and 40 mm in Khamis Mushait on July 29, 2006.
Source: Saudi Gazette