Temperatures in Mecca and the holy sites are recording their highest levels
The National Center for Meteorology, in its latest weather report, detailed the maximum temperatures recorded in various regions and cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today. Temperatures in Mecca and the Holy Sites the list, registering the highest levels, reflecting the hot summer climate characteristic of the region during this time of year.
Temperature details in Mecca and the holy sites
According to the official report, temperatures in Mecca and the holy sites reached their peak, with Mecca, along with Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah, recording 45 degrees Celsius. This significant rise necessitates that pilgrims to the Grand Mosque and the holy sites take precautions and follow health guidelines to prevent heatstroke and heat exhaustion, especially during peak daytime hours.
The weather varied in the rest of the Kingdom's cities and governorates
On another note, the report showed variations in maximum temperatures across different Saudi cities and provinces, as follows:
- between 44 and 42 degrees Celsius were recorded in Medina and Al-Ahsa governorates at 44 degrees Celsius, and in Buraidah, Al-Kharj, and Wadi Al-Dawasir at 43 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the capital, Riyadh, Al-Majma'ah, Rawdat Al-Tanhat, the Ad-Dahna desert, and As-Saman reached 42 degrees Celsius.
- from 41 to 39 degrees Celsius: Dammam, Hafr al-Batin, Dawadmi, and Sharurah recorded 41 degrees Celsius. Hail recorded 40 degrees Celsius, while Al-Ula, Yanbu, Bisha, and Rafha reached 39 degrees Celsius.
- 37 to 35 degrees Celsius: Temperatures ranged in cities such as Najran (37 degrees Celsius), Jeddah, Sakaka, Taif, Al Qunfudhah (36 degrees Celsius), Arar and Jazan (35 degrees Celsius).
- The most moderate areas included Tabuk and Al Qurayyat (33 degrees Celsius), Tarif (32 degrees Celsius), Abha (31 degrees Celsius), Al Baha (30 degrees Celsius), and Al Wajh (29 degrees Celsius), with Al Sawda recording the lowest maximum temperature at 25 degrees Celsius.
The climatic and historical context of the weather in the Arabian Peninsula
Historically, Saudi Arabia is known for its arid desert climate and extreme heat during the summer. Mecca, in particular, experiences high temperatures due to its geographical location and mountainous terrain, which traps heat. This climatic context is not new; it is part of the region's natural environment, to which government authorities have adapted over the decades, developing advanced infrastructure including cooling systems and water misting systems in the courtyards to mitigate the effects of the heat on visitors.
Local and international impact of rising temperatures
The high temperatures are of paramount importance and have an impact that extends from the local to the international level. Locally, health and security authorities are mobilizing their resources to ensure the safety of citizens and residents by launching awareness campaigns urging people to drink sufficient amounts of water and avoid direct sun exposure. Regionally and internationally, this weather directly affects millions of Muslims who flock to perform Hajj and Umrah. Therefore, the Kingdom's government is paying close attention to crowd management under these harsh climatic conditions and is providing comprehensive medical services to handle any emergencies, reflecting its high level of efficiency in managing climate crises and ensuring the comfort and safety of the pilgrims.
