The winter season has arrived in Saudi Arabia. The extreme heat will no longer disturb the comfort of individuals performing Umrah Pilgrimage.
Height of the Colder Weather: Late January
In late January, area temperatures drop even lower. According to Weather Spark, the coldest day during the winter season in Saudi Arabia typically occurs on 22nd January with a daily range of 16 to 28 degrees Celsius (61 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit).
While temperatures in Saudi Arabia do not drop as low as temperatures associated with heavy jackets in other parts of the world, they are certainly cooler than the scorching heat experienced throughout much of the year.
Beginning of the Season: December 2025
Winter officially began on 1st December, 2025. The first day of a new season is always the beginning of the transition into that season. In this case, the transition from hot weather to colder, breezy days.
According to the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), the long-term forecast indicates that the cold weather will continue to trend downwards as the amount of weather activity increases.
Rain, thunder, fog and strong winds all mark the arrival of winter in Saudi Arabia!
Saudi Arabia does not just experience a drop in temperature during the winter months. With its arrival comes some dramatic weather events, such as:
- Moderate and heavy amounts of rain
- Intense thunderstorms
- Strong winds
- Areas of thick fog
Certain areas within the Kingdom (e.g., Madinah, Hail, Jazan, Asir and Al-Baha) should exercise particular caution during the winter months, as they will likely experience an increased risk of severe weather.
This week, NCM spokesperson Hussein Al-Qahtani said December’s first rain events are starting; affecting large parts of Makkah’s mountain areas and coastal regions of southern Saudi Arabia, central and northern Saudi Arabia.
What about the winds Above the Red Sea? They are part of the story too.
While winter conditions will prevail on land, the winds continue over the waters of the Red Sea.
For Example; If you are in the North or Central Region looking at Winds on an East/NorthEast accountable for Speed are:
Northern and Central Regions (10 km/h-28 km/h, Northwest-North)
If you are in the South Region looking to the Winds from a South/East and/or Southeast accountable for Speed are:
South Winds – (15 km/h-40 km/h, possibly 50 km/h with the presence of Rain Clouds Near Bab el-Mandeb, )
These wind conditions tend to increase the height of Sea Waves (i.e. (0.5m-2m) depending on Shifting/Type of Clouds as they develop into Storm Clouds).
Perfect Umrah Weather
Wintertime (December through February) is peak pilgrimage season in Saudi Arabia. During wintertime, pilgrims enjoy ease in the heat, cool temperatures in the air, and much longer time spent outside without experiencing heat exhaustion.
Makkah and Madinah are known to be extremely hot for most of the year; however, they are now a very comfortable temperature to walk, perform prayers, and do Umrah rituals without getting too hot.
This is one of the reasons many pilgrims like to travel during this time of year.
What is Everyone Saying About the Weather
The Saudi Gazette states that the meteorological center has forecasted more rain for the next couple of days and that there is still a typical winter weather mix of fog and wind, though because of the warnings, all regions of the country can still be considered as having a comfortable climate.
While there are parts of the country that will require caution, pilgrims traveling to the Holy Cities greatly appreciate the cool temperatures of the winter months.
Saudi Arabia’s winter months will bring the combination of storms and calmness; however, for many people heading to perform Umrah, winter is the best time of year as the mild days, refreshing nights, and cool temperatures create a much more enjoyable pilgrimage experience than the high heat of summer can provide.
