The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather report, revealing a significant variation in maximum temperatures recorded across the Kingdom's cities and regions. While Dammam, located on the Arabian Gulf coast, recorded a moderate temperature of 21 degrees Celsius, other cities such as Mecca and Jeddah experienced warmer weather, reflecting the unique geographical and climatic diversity of Saudi Arabia.
The climatic context and diverse topography of the Kingdom
This significant temperature variation is due to the Kingdom's vast size and diverse topography. Eastern coastal areas like Dammam and Al-Ahsa are influenced by the humidity of the Arabian Gulf, resulting in mild winters and hot, humid summers. In contrast, western coastal areas such as Jeddah and Yanbu enjoy a more stable and warmer climate year-round thanks to the influence of the Red Sea. The central region, which includes the capital, Riyadh, has a continental desert climate, characterized by very hot summers and cold, dry winters, which explains its record-breaking temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. In stark contrast, the southwestern highlands of Asir and Al-Baha, where the cities of Abha and Al-Baha are located, enjoy cool and temperate weather even in summer, thanks to their high altitude. As-Soudah, for example, recorded a temperature of only 14 degrees Celsius, making it one of the coldest regions in the Kingdom.
The importance of weather reports and their impact on daily life
Reports issued by the National Center of Meteorology play a vital role in the lives of citizens and residents, helping them plan their daily activities and take necessary precautions. This data is also essential for several vital sectors; the aviation sector relies on it to ensure flight safety, the agricultural sector uses it to determine planting and harvesting dates, and the tourism sector benefits from weather forecasts to guide visitors to suitable destinations. With global climate change, the accuracy of these forecasts has become more important than ever to prepare for potential extreme weather events.
List of maximum temperatures in the cities of the Kingdom:
- Dammam: 21 degrees Celsius
- Mecca: 33 degrees Celsius
- Medina: 27 degrees Celsius
- Riyadh: 20 degrees Celsius
- Jeddah: 32 degrees Celsius
- Abha: 20 degrees Celsius
- Hail: 21 degrees Celsius
- Buraidah: 23 degrees Celsius
- Tabuk: 23 degrees Celsius
- Courtyard: 19 degrees Celsius
- Arar: 20 degrees Celsius
- Sakaka: 21 degrees Celsius
- Jazan: 29 degrees Celsius
- Najran: 24 degrees Celsius
- Taif: 23 degrees Celsius
- Al-Ula: 25 degrees Celsius
- Yanbu: 31 degrees Celsius
- Dawadmi: 22 degrees Celsius
- Al-Kharj: 19 degrees Celsius
- Wadi Al-Dawasir: 23 degrees Celsius
- Sharurah: 24 degrees Celsius
- Combined: 21 degrees Celsius
- Face: 27 degrees Celsius
- Rafha: 20 degrees Celsius
- Al Qurayyat: 20 degrees Celsius
- Tarif: 19 degrees Celsius
- Al Qunfudhah: 30 degrees Celsius
- Al-Ahsa: 20 degrees Celsius
- Hafar Al-Batin: 19 degrees Celsius
- Bisha: 25 degrees Celsius
- Al-Sawda: 14 degrees Celsius
- Rawdat Al-Tanhat: 19 degrees Celsius
- Al-Dahna desert: 19 degrees Celsius
- Al-Saman: 19 degrees Celsius
