Climate Insights for Riyadh

The climate in Riyadh is hot. The average annual temperature is 27°C and approximately 55mm of precipitation falls per year. April is the wettest month, receiving around 10mm of rainfall. Riyadh is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 9°C.

Temperatures in Riyadh vary considerably across the year, with a 35°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. July is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 44°C and an average of 38°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 9°C and an average of 15°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 13°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.

Riyadh is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 55mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 5mm per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 10mm of rainfall. February and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 0mm. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Riyadh is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 13km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is March, averaging 16km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in October, with average winds dropping to 11km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently autumn in Riyadh, which began on September 23, 2026. Riyadh is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 44°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 9°C. Winter is next, beginning on December 21, 2026 (87 days from now).

The best time to visit Riyadh is during January, February, March, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 19°C with modest rainfall averaging 8mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 44°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Riyadh based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.