Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's capital, a fast-changing desert city where the mud-brick Masmak Fortress, the National Museum, the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge and the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district in Diriyah sit within a short drive of each other.
Riyadh has a hot desert climate: summers are extremely hot and dry (July and August highs of 43-45°C), winters are mild by day and cold at night (January lows near 8°C), and rain is rare (about 100 mm a year, mostly March and April). Dust storms and sandstorms can occur in spring and early summer.
Best time to visit
Best: November to March
Peak Season: December–February
Avoid: June–August heat (highs of 43-45°C)
Summary: Mild, sunny weather from November to March suits Diriyah, Wadi Hanifah and desert trips; summer is best spent in air-conditioned malls and museums.
Notes: Winter nights can be cold, especially in the desert; sandstorms are most likely in spring.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
14°C/57°F
Cool and sunny; highs about 21°C, cold nights near 8°C
February
17°C/63°F
Pleasant and dry; Saudi Founding Day on 22 February
March
21°C/70°F
Warm; occasional rain and dust storms
April
27°C/81°F
Hot by afternoon, highs about 34°C; wettest month on average
May
32°C/90°F
Very hot, highs near 40°C
June
35°C/95°F
Very hot and dry; highs about 43°C
July
36°C/97°F
Hottest month; highs about 44-45°C
August
36°C/97°F
Extreme heat; highs about 44°C
September
33°C/91°F
Still very hot; highs about 41°C
October
28°C/82°F
Heat easing; highs about 36°C and pleasant evenings
November
21°C/70°F
Warm days, cool nights; outdoor season
December
15°C/59°F
Mild and sunny; chilly nights
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar–May
Warm to very hot, 14-40°C; the only months with regular rain and the main sandstorm season.
Summer
Months: Jun–Aug
Extreme heat, 27-45°C, dry and sunny.
Fall
Months: Sep–Nov
Hot in September, comfortable by November at 14-28°C.
Winter
Months: Dec–Feb
Mild, sunny days (21-24°C) and cold nights, 8-10°C.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- October to March, with Riyadh Season (opened 21 October 2026) the busiest period for events, hotels and ride-hailing
- Shoulder Season
- April and September
- Low Season
- May to August (heat)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Riyadh Season 2026
Seventh edition, themed Big Time, with Boulevard World (new Netherlands, Portugal and Yemen pavilions), boxing, wrestling, UFC and the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament. No official end date was found; check riyadhseason.sa.
Formula E season opener, Jeddah
The Saudi round has moved from Diriyah to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit; there is no Diriyah E-Prix in 2026-27. Dates are provisional.
Saudi Founding Day
Public holiday with heritage events, notably in Diriyah.
Ramadan
Dates depend on moon sighting; eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight is prohibited and many venues change hours.
Eid al-Fitr
Multi-day holiday marking the end of Ramadan; heavy domestic travel and higher prices.
Eid al-Adha
Public holiday following the Hajj; dates depend on moon sighting.