Sanaa, Yemen Climate & Monthly Averages

Yemen 🇾🇪 · hot desert climate
Annual avg
66°
Hottest month
June
Coldest month
December
Rainy days / yr
38
Sunshine
10.9 h/day
Right now: 66° and thundery outbreaks in nearby - see live conditions

The climate of Sanaa

Located in Yemen, Sanaa experiences a hot desert climate with intense summer heat, mild winters and very little rain. Afternoon temperatures peak near 84°F (29°C) in June and dip to about 72°F (22°C) in December, with around 7.9 inches (200 mm) of precipitation falling across the year.

Climate quick facts

  • Hottest month: June - highs near 84°F (29°C)
  • Coldest month: December - highs near 72°F (22°C)
  • Record high: 91°F (33°C) · Record low: 34°F (1°C) (2015–2024)
  • Wettest month: August (12 rainy days) · Sunniest: March (11.4 h sun/day)
  • Climate type: hot desert - intense summer heat, mild winters and very little rain

Temperatures through the year

The warmest stretch of the year centers on June. Highs average 84°F (29°C) and overnight lows stay near 61°F (16°C). The coolest month is December, with typical highs of 72°F (22°C) and lows around 46°F (8°C). Based on 2015–2024 weather data, temperatures have reached as high as 91°F (33°C) and dropped as low as 34°F (1°C).

Rain, sun and snow

August is usually the wettest month. It brings about 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain over 12 days, while December is the driest. March brings the most sunshine, averaging 11.4 hours of sun a day.

Monthly climate table

Monthly averages for Sanaa based on 2015–2024 weather data.
MonthHighLow Rain daysPrecipitation SunshineHumidity
January 72° 47° 1 0.1 in 10.8 h/day 42%
February 76° 50° 1 0.1 in 11.0 h/day 41%
March 78° 53° 2 0.4 in 11.4 h/day 44%
April 78° 56° 5 0.9 in 11.4 h/day 47%
May 80° 58° 5 1.4 in 11.1 h/day 41%
June 84° 61° 1 0.2 in 11.0 h/day 31%
July 82° 62° 7 1.3 in 9.7 h/day 43%
August 80° 60° 12 2.7 in 10.6 h/day 52%
September 81° 59° 2 0.3 in 11.1 h/day 32%
October 75° 53° 1 0.4 in 11.2 h/day 33%
November 73° 49° 0 0.1 in 10.7 h/day 40%
December 72° 46° 0 0.1 in 10.8 h/day 39%

Sanaa month by month

Sanaa weather in January

January brings highs around 72°F (22°C), lows near 47°F (8°C), about 1 wet days.

Sanaa weather in February

February brings highs around 76°F (24°C), lows near 50°F (10°C), about 1 wet days.

Sanaa weather in March

March brings highs around 78°F (25°C), lows near 53°F (12°C), about 2 wet days - typically the sunniest month of the year in Sanaa.

Sanaa weather in April

April brings highs around 78°F (25°C), lows near 56°F (13°C), about 5 wet days.

Sanaa weather in May

May brings highs around 80°F (27°C), lows near 58°F (15°C), about 5 wet days.

Sanaa weather in June

June brings highs around 84°F (29°C), lows near 61°F (16°C), about 1 wet days - typically the hottest month of the year in Sanaa.

Sanaa weather in July

July brings highs around 82°F (28°C), lows near 62°F (17°C), about 7 wet days.

Sanaa weather in August

August brings highs around 80°F (26°C), lows near 60°F (16°C), about 12 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Sanaa.

Sanaa weather in September

September brings highs around 81°F (27°C), lows near 59°F (15°C), about 2 wet days.

Sanaa weather in October

October brings highs around 75°F (24°C), lows near 53°F (12°C), about 1 wet days.

Sanaa weather in November

November brings highs around 73°F (23°C), lows near 49°F (10°C), about 0 wet days.

Sanaa weather in December

December brings highs around 72°F (22°C), lows near 46°F (8°C), about 0 wet days - typically the coldest month and the driest month of the year in Sanaa.

Seasons in Sanaa

Spring (March through May)

Spring in Sanaa is pleasantly warm, with daytime highs averaging 78°F (26°C) and nights around 56°F (13°C); rain falls on about 13 days over the three months.

Summer (June through August)

Summer in Sanaa is hot, with daytime highs averaging 82°F (28°C) and nights around 61°F (16°C); expect showers on roughly 20 days across the season.

Fall (September through November)

Fall in Sanaa is mild and warm, with daytime highs averaging 76°F (25°C) and nights around 54°F (12°C); precipitation is infrequent.

Winter (December through February)

Winter in Sanaa is pleasantly warm, with daytime highs averaging 73°F (23°C) and nights around 48°F (9°C); precipitation is infrequent.

Climate questions, answered

What is the average temperature in Sanaa?
Sanaa averages 66°F (19°C) across the year, with typical daytime highs of 78°F (25°C) and nighttime lows around 54°F (12°C).
Is Sanaa hot in summer?
Warm to hot: June, the warmest month, averages highs of 84°F (29°C) - hot afternoons happen, but extremes are not the norm.
Is Sanaa cold in winter?
Winter is gentle here: 46°F (8°C) on a typical December night, and ice is rare.
How many rainy days does Sanaa get in a year?
Count on around 38 days of rain or snow annually - concentrated in August, sparsest in December.

Best time to visit Sanaa

The best time to visit Sanaa is generally January to June, when temperatures are at their most comfortable before or after the peak heat. Daytime temperatures in that window typically sit near 78°F (25°C).

Pack for Sanaa with rain gear if you travel around August. Evenings can feel noticeably cooler than afternoons - June nights average 61°F (16°C).

Sanaa temperature records (2015-2024)

Highest recorded
91°
in July
Lowest recorded
34°
in December
Annual precipitation
7.9"
Snowy days / yr
0

Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.