Weather details and temperature forecasts for Hajj
The National Center of Meteorology, through its CEO Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, announced details of the weather forecast for this year's Hajj, predicting hot to very hot conditions in Mecca and the holy sites. This forecast is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of pilgrims and provide a suitable environment for performing the rituals with ease and comfort.
A history of meteorological care to serve the pilgrims
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on monitoring climate changes during successive Hajj seasons. For decades, weather monitoring mechanisms have evolved from traditional methods to the use of the latest global technologies, in response to the challenges posed by climate change and the Hajj season's overlap with the intense summer months. This development reflects the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to harnessing all available resources to serve pilgrims, with accurate weather forecasting becoming a cornerstone of crowd management plans, water distribution, and the preparation of medical camps to handle any emergencies.
Temperature forecast before the Day of Tarwiyah
Dr. Ghulam explained that from the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah until the Day of Tarwiyah (the eighth of Dhu al-Hijjah), maximum temperatures will range between 44 and 47 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures will range between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius. The sky will be clear to partly cloudy, with surface winds expected to stir up dust and sand, especially during the daytime. He also noted that the winds will be southwesterly to northwesterly, with speeds ranging from 15 to 40 km/h.
Monitoring the weather conditions during Hajj on the Day of Arafah and the days of Tashreeq
Regarding the most important period of the Hajj rituals, from the Day of Arafah (the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah) until the thirteenth, forecasts indicate continued hot weather. Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius, and minimum temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels ranging between 15% and 55%. The head of the center added that the wind direction will be northwesterly at speeds reaching up to 50 km/h, with the possibility of thunderstorms over the Taif highlands, which may extend to the holy sites, accompanied by dust-raising downdrafts.
The strategic dimensions of climate forecasting and its global impact
The importance of weather forecasts extends far beyond the local level, encompassing crucial regional and international dimensions. Locally, this accurate data helps government, security, and health agencies in the Kingdom enhance their proactive preparedness, such as increasing hospital capacity and intensifying awareness campaigns about heat stress. Regionally and internationally, sharing this information transparently with Hajj missions from around the world helps guide pilgrims before their departure, thus strengthening international cooperation in managing this largest religious event globally and underscoring the Kingdom's leadership in crowd management under changing climatic conditions.
Advanced technological readiness and multilingual media centers
These statements were made during an inspection tour to assess the readiness of the National Center for Meteorology's operations. Dr. Ghulam confirmed the center's preparedness, highlighting its integrated operational system comprising 59 automatic stations, 19 mobile stations, fixed and mobile weather radars, and satellite imagery. In a pioneering move, the center launched the "Media Production and Digital Communication Center" to disseminate weather forecasts and awareness messages in multiple languages across 15 media platforms. The Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms, the Climate Change Center, and the Cloud Seeding Program are also participating in conducting climate studies and exploring opportunities to improve weather patterns, thereby enhancing the safety and comfort of pilgrims, in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership.
