Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Climate & Monthly Averages

The climate of Riyadh

Riyadh works on a dry budget: 3.0 inches (77 mm) of precipitation a year, spread over roughly 15 days. Temperature does the varying instead, from 70°F (21°C) on a typical January afternoon to 110°F (44°C) in July, with nights 13°C below the day.

Climate quick facts

• Hottest month: July - highs near 110°F (44°C)
• Coldest month: January - highs near 70°F (21°C)
• Decade extremes (2015-2024): 118°F (48°C) high · 31°F (-1°C) low
• Wettest month: January (2 rainy days) · Sunniest: June (12.0 h sun/day)
• Climate type: hot desert
• Annual swing: 22°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 13°C
• Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 7
• Average humidity: 26%

Temperatures through the year

Relative humidity averages 26% across the year, drier than almost anywhere else we cover. Warmth peaks in July: highs of 110°F (44°C), lows of 86°F (30°C). January bottoms out at 70°F (21°C) in daylight, 48°F (9°C) after dark. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 118°F (48°C) and the lowest daily minimum 31°F (-1°C). 12 months average under 20 mm of rain, the longest unbroken stretch running January through December.

Rain, sun and snow

Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 7 months of the year, April through October being the unbroken run. Three of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is December through February. Precipitation concentrates in January - 15 mm (0.6 in) on 2 days - and thins out by June.

How Riyadh compares

• Annual precipitation is 3.0 inches (77 mm) - drier than almost every other city we track.
• Rain or snow reaches the ground on 15 days a year - fewer wet days than almost every other city we track.
• Afternoons run 13°C above the following night - a bigger day-to-night gap than 95% of the 3496 cities we track.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Best time to visit Riyadh

Aim for November to March if you get the choice: temperatures sit either side of the peak heat rather than in it, and highs average 76°F (25°C) against roughly 2 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in November.

Pack for Riyadh with lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection. Note the gap between afternoon and night: July pairs 110°F (44°C) with 86°F (30°C).