Saudi Arabia Braces for Hotter Summer, Heavier Rainfall in Select Regions

Saudi Arabia is expected to experience higher-than-usual temperatures and increased rainfall in several regions during July and August, according to a seasonal weather forecast released by the National Center for Meteorology (NCM).

The forecast, published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Wednesday, indicates that temperatures in central, northern, and eastern parts of the Kingdom will be notably above average this summer. The NCM predicts a rise of approximately 1°C in areas including Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, the Eastern Province, and the Northern Borders region. The heat is expected to intensify in August, with temperature increases of up to 1.2°C forecasted in Jouf, Tabuk, Qassim, Hail, and eastern areas.

In addition to the heat, the NCM is forecasting above-normal rainfall across several southern and southwestern regions, including Najran, Jazan, Al-Baha, Asir, and parts of Makkah and Madinah. Southern areas of Riyadh and parts of the Eastern Province are also expected to receive increased rainfall. The remainder of the Kingdom is forecasted to experience typical seasonal precipitation.

The Summer 2025 outlook, covering the months of June through August, is based on historical weather data from 1991 to 2020.

The report also included key weather records from recent decades. The highest recorded temperature in the Kingdom was in Jeddah in June 2010, reaching a scorching 52°C. Al-Ahsa followed closely, with a high of 51.3°C recorded in July 2024. In previous years, Dammam and Al-Qaisumah both recorded extreme heat in August, touching 51°C in 1998 and 2021 respectively.

In terms of rainfall, Jazan stood out with the highest recorded daily rainfall in both July and August. It received 113 millimeters in August 2024 and held a record of 67.6 millimeters in July 1995. Sharurah, located in the Najran province, recorded the highest June rainfall at 53.8 millimeters in 1996.

As the Kingdom enters the peak summer months, authorities are urging residents to take necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses and to stay updated with local weather alerts.