In summer, Saudi Arabia records some of the highest temperatures in the world, especially in the interior and the Eastern Province. Long exposure to the heat can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke, a medical emergency. Whether you have just moved to the Kingdom or are visiting in the hot months, here is how to recognise the risks and protect yourself and your family.
The hottest areas
- Central region: Riyadh, Al Kharj, Al Duwadimi.
- Eastern Province: Dammam, Al Ahsa, Hafar Al-Batin, with high humidity along the coast.
- West coast: Jeddah and Jazan, where humidity pushes the feels-like temperature higher.
Temperature, humidity and "feels like"
Inland cities are hot and dry. On the coasts, heat combines with humidity, and the feels-like temperature rises because the body cannot cool down easily through sweat. Always check the feels-like value on your city page, especially around midday and early afternoon. Dry heat has its own danger: you may not notice how much water you are losing.
Warning signs
Heat exhaustion
Heavy sweating, extreme tiredness, headache, dizziness, nausea and muscle cramps. What to do: move to a cool place, drink water, loosen tight clothing and rest. If symptoms do not improve quickly, get medical help.
Heat stroke: an emergency
Hot, dry or red skin, very high body temperature, confusion, slurred speech or loss of consciousness. Call emergency services immediately, move the person into the shade or a cool room, and cool their body with water and fanning while you wait for help.
Who is most at risk?
- Older people and young children.
- Pregnant women.
- People with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease.
- Outdoor workers.
- Athletes training outdoors.
- New arrivals who are not yet used to the heat.
Practical tips
At home
- Close curtains and blinds during the day to keep rooms cool.
- Drink water at regular intervals throughout the day, before you feel thirsty.
- Eat light meals rich in fruit and vegetables.
- Check on older relatives and neighbours.
Outdoors
- Avoid the sun from midday to mid-afternoon whenever possible.
- Wear light, loose, light-coloured clothing and a hat.
- Take breaks in the shade or in air-conditioned places.
- Use sunscreen: the UV index is very high in summer.
- Schedule exercise for early morning or after sunset.
In the car
- Never leave a child, an elderly person or a pet in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
- Carry plenty of water on road trips and make sure your car's cooling system is in good condition.
- Use a sunshade on the windscreen and be careful with hot seat belts and steering wheels.
Using the forecast to plan your day
- On your city page you will find the high, low and feels-like temperature for every hour.
- The next 12 hours highlights on the city page flag periods of extreme heat.
- The temperature layer on our weather map shows how hot air masses spread across the Kingdom.
- The 15-day forecast helps you plan outings for the cooler days.
Always follow the alerts of the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) during heat waves. If the heat is mixed with dust, read our sandstorm safety guide.
Cooler places in summer
If you can travel, the highlands of Taif, Abha and Al Baha are much cooler than the coast and the desert in summer thanks to their altitude.
FAQ
When is the heat strongest during the day?
Usually from midday to mid-afternoon.
Is air conditioning enough to stay safe?
It helps a lot, but you still need to drink water regularly and avoid the sun at peak hours.
How do I know if tonight will be hot?
Look at the expected minimum (low) temperature on your city page, for example Riyadh weather.
Why does Jeddah feel hotter than Riyadh at the same temperature?
Because of humidity: moist air slows the evaporation of sweat, so the feels-like temperature is higher.
