Mecca tops the list of highest temperatures in Saudi Arabia today
The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily report detailing the maximum temperatures in Saudi Arabia for Thursday, revealing significant variations across different regions. The holy city of Mecca and the holy sites recorded the highest temperatures, reaching 44 degrees Celsius. This report is part of the ongoing monitoring of weather conditions, helping citizens, residents, and visitors to avoid sudden weather changes and take necessary precautions to cope with the hot weather.
Typical summer climate: a geographical and historical feature of the Kingdom
The Arabian Peninsula in general, and Saudi Arabia in particular, is characterized by arid and semi-arid desert climates, with temperatures soaring during the summer months. Historically, the region's inhabitants adapted to these harsh climatic conditions through traditional building methods that provided thermal insulation, and by adjusting their work and daily activities to avoid the peak hours of the sun. With modern advancements, meteorological reports have become an indispensable tool for daily planning, as the recorded data reflects the Kingdom's diverse geography, from humid coastal plains to temperate mountain ranges, and finally to the inland desert regions that experience the highest temperatures.
The impact of high maximum temperatures in Saudi Arabia on life and seasons
Recording high temperatures in Saudi Arabia significant weight and has a direct impact on several levels. Locally, this rise leads to a noticeable increase in electricity consumption due to the heavy reliance on air conditioning and cooling systems. Regionally and internationally, temperatures in Mecca and the holy sites (such as Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, all of which recorded 44 degrees Celsius) are of great concern, especially during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. For this reason, the Saudi government is making tremendous efforts to mitigate the effects of the heat on pilgrims through projects such as cooling the courtyards, deploying misting fans, and providing protective umbrellas to ensure their safety from heat exhaustion and sunstroke.
List of recorded temperatures in cities and regions of the Kingdom
According to the official statement issued by the National Center for Meteorology, the maximum temperatures recorded in various cities and governorates were as follows:
- Mecca: 44 degrees Celsius.
- Arafat: 44 degrees Celsius.
- Mona: 44 degrees Celsius.
- Muzdalifah: 44 degrees Celsius.
- Wadi Al-Dawasir: 42 degrees Celsius.
- Sharurah: 42 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Ahsa: 42 degrees Celsius.
- Medina: 41 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Kharj: 41 degrees Celsius.
- Rawdat Al-Tanhat: 41 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Dahna desert: 41 degrees Celsius.
- Dammam: 40 degrees Celsius.
- Riyadh: 40 degrees Celsius.
- Jeddah: 40 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Ula: 40 degrees Celsius.
- Yanbu: 40 degrees Celsius.
- Hafar Al-Batin: 40 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Saman: 40 degrees Celsius.
- Buraidah: 39 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Dawadmi: 39 degrees Celsius.
- Najran: 38 degrees Celsius.
- Combined: 38 degrees Celsius.
- Bisha: 38 degrees Celsius.
- Jazan: 37 degrees Celsius.
- Rafha: 36 degrees Celsius.
- Al Qunfudhah: 36 degrees Celsius.
- Tabuk: 35 degrees Celsius.
- Hail: 34 degrees Celsius.
- Arar: 34 degrees Celsius.
- Sakaka: 34 degrees Celsius.
- Taif: 33 degrees Celsius.
- Al Qurayyat: 33 degrees Celsius.
- Face: 32 degrees Celsius.
- Tarif: 32 degrees Celsius.
- Abha: 28 degrees Celsius.
- The courtyard: 27 degrees Celsius.
- Al-Sawda: 23 degrees Celsius.
These figures reflect the great climatic variation within the Kingdom, as the southwestern highlands such as Al-Soudah, Al-Baha and Abha record moderate and pleasant temperatures compared to the rest of the regions, making them preferred tourist destinations during the summer season.
