Weather in Riyadh

Rain is a year that totals only 31 mm of rain. The wettest month is November at 7 mm; the driest is June at 0 mm.

Riyadh is in Saudi Arabia at 24.7°N. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a desert climate with almost no rain. July is the warmest month (average 36.0°C, high 44.0°C) and January is the coolest (average 14.7°C, low 7.5°C). On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are February, March, and November.

How warm Riyadh gets

Riyadh has a 21.3°C gap between its coolest monthly average (14.7°C in January) and its warmest (36.0°C in July). That is a northern-hemisphere pattern.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 34.0°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; July nights still hold 28.1°C.

Rainfall pattern

Riyadh is dry. The whole year adds up to 31 mm. November is the “wet” month at 7 mm; June drops to 0 mm.

Humidity peaks near 43%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

Distinctive months in Riyadh

The year bottoms out in January. Plan for 7.5°C at night and 21.9°C in the afternoon. February stands apart from the months beside it: 25.1°C / 9.7°C and 4 mm. March brings 2 mm and 1 rainy days; temperatures run from 14.0°C to 29.6°C. In April, Riyadh averages 34.6°C by day and 19.1°C at night, with 6 mm of rain. May: 40.1°C high, 24.1°C low, 1 mm rain, 17% humidity. June is the driest month, averaging only 0 mm across 0 rainy days. Highs sit near 42.8°C.

Peak heat arrives in July: 44.0°C by day, 28.1°C at night, and 12% humidity. September: 40.7°C high, 25.0°C low, 0 mm rain, 15% humidity. October brings 0 mm and 0 rainy days; temperatures run from 20.4°C to 35.2°C. November is the wettest month — 7 mm and 1 rainy days, with 36% humidity. December: 22.8°C high, 9.2°C low, 6 mm rain, 43% humidity.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are February, March, and November: February (17.4°C average, 4 mm, 32% humidity); March (21.8°C average, 2 mm, 27% humidity); November (21.2°C average, 7 mm, 36% humidity). They fall in calendar order. The score rewards averages near 22°C, lower rainfall, and humidity near 60%. It is a climate score, not a festival or price calendar.

If you prefer the hottest stretch, that is July. The coolest stretch is January.

Riyadh and other cities in Saudi Arabia

Dammam is about 391 km away: Riyadh is 0.5°C cooler than Dammam in its hottest month and a similar annual rainfall (46 mm in Dammam). Dammam’s wettest month is November (12 mm) versus November here.

Madinah is about 719 km away: Riyadh is 1.1°C warmer than Madinah in its hottest month and a similar annual rainfall (21 mm in Madinah). Madinah’s wettest month is November (6 mm) versus November here.

Makkah is about 793 km away: Riyadh is 0.5°C warmer than Makkah in its hottest month and a similar annual rainfall (37 mm in Makkah). Makkah’s wettest month is November (9 mm) versus November here.