Weather in the Holy Sites: 45 degrees Celsius in Mina and forecast for the Day of Arafah
The National Center of Meteorology announced details of the weather in the holy sites during the Day of Tarwiyah, with Mina recording a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. These readings come as part of close and continuous monitoring of the weather conditions to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. This rise in temperature was accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 26 kilometers per hour, while the highest humidity level reached 36%, requiring pilgrims to take precautions while performing the rituals.
History of weather observations during Hajj seasons
The focus on monitoring weather conditions during the Hajj season is not a recent development, but rather an extension of the long history of care that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides to the pilgrims. Since the timing of Hajj is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, the rituals shift through different seasons. In recent years, the Hajj season has coincided with the summer months, which are characterized by significantly high temperatures in the Arabian Peninsula. This coincidence has prompted the relevant authorities to develop weather monitoring systems and intensify medical and logistical preparations to address heat stress, reflecting the Kingdom's historical commitment to providing a safe and comfortable environment for pilgrims, regardless of the climatic challenges.
The impact of the weather at the holy sites on Hajj organization
are The weather conditions in the holy sites of paramount importance and have a direct impact on the organizational plans for the Hajj season at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, the Ministry of Health, along with security and regulatory authorities, mobilizes its full resources based on meteorological reports. Heat stress centers are deployed, water and umbrellas are distributed, and cooling and misting systems are activated along pedestrian routes. Regionally and internationally, these precise weather readings guide Hajj missions from around the world to educate their pilgrims before and during their arrival. This strengthens international cooperation to ensure the safety of pilgrims and reduce the incidence of heatstroke, reflecting the efficiency of crowd management under harsh climatic conditions.
Arafah Day predictions and ongoing updates
Regarding the coming days, the National Center for Meteorology explained that Arafat continues to record the highest temperatures among the holy sites since the beginning of the Hajj season, having previously recorded 48 degrees Celsius last Saturday. Initial readings indicate the possibility of temperatures reaching approximately 45 degrees Celsius in Arafat tomorrow, God willing, during peak hours. The official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology, Hussein Al-Qahtani, confirmed that the center is continuously monitoring the weather around the clock through an advanced network of monitoring stations and modern technologies to ensure the provision of accurate information that supports the authorities serving the pilgrims.
Preventive guidelines for the safety of pilgrims
Al-Qahtani added that the high temperatures during this period are typical of the summer season in the region. He urged all pilgrims to strictly adhere to the preventive guidelines issued by health and security authorities. These guidelines include avoiding direct sun exposure, especially during the midday heatwave, drinking plenty of fluids and water regularly, and using umbrellas to mitigate heat stress and ensure their safety while performing the Hajj rituals.
