September ranks among Saudi Arabia’s hottest months: What climate data reveals

JEDDAH — Long-term climate records show that September is one of the hottest months of the year in Saudi Arabia, according to data from the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). NCM data show that September records an average temperature of 30.8°C, an average maximum temperature of 38.3°C and an average minimum temperature of 23.27°C, based on the 1991–2020 climate baseline. September ranks as the fourth-highest month of the year for all three temperature measures. **media[2753498]** Geographically, average temperatures during September are highest across western parts of the Kingdom and parts of the east, while the lowest temperatures are recorded across the southwestern highlands. Average maximum temperatures are highest across eastern and western parts of the Kingdom, with the lowest levels recorded over the southwestern highlands. Climate records show that 2023 recorded the highest average maximum temperature for September during the 1985–2025 period, reaching 39.57°C. Looking specifically at the 2016–2025 period, the lowest average maximum temperature was recorded in 2021 at 37.92°C. The same year, 2023, also recorded the highest average September temperature during the 2016–2025 period, at 25.46°C, while the lowest was recorded in 2016 at 24.21°C. **media[2753502]** In terms of extreme heat at monitored stations, Makkah and Rafha share the highest September temperature in the records shown, reaching 49.4°C. Makkah recorded the temperature on Sept. 9, 1988, while Rafha reached the same level on Sept. 30, 2019. Jeddah recorded 49.2°C on Sept. 16, 2025, while Yanbu reached 49°C on Sept. 10, 2006, and again on Sept. 7, 2023. For long-term averages, Al-Qaisumah, Al-Ahsa and Makkah each recorded an average of five September days with maximum temperatures of 45°C or higher, the highest frequency among the monitored stations. Dammam, Madinah, Qassim, Yanbu and Rafha each averaged two such days, while Wadi Al-Dawasir averaged one. Rainfall during September is concentrated across the south and southwest of the Kingdom and parts of the west, except for coastal areas, while rainfall is absent across the rest of the regions. The nationwide normal rainfall for September stands at 1.64 mm, based on the 1991–2020 climate baseline, making it the second-lowest month of the year for average rainfall. **media[2753499]** Among monitored stations, Makkah records the highest normal September rainfall at 9.9 mm, followed by Taif at 9.1 mm, Jizan at 8.5 mm and Abha at 6.1 mm. Khamis Mushait records 3.4 mm, while Sharurah records 2.3 mm and Al-Baha 1.5 mm. Rainfall totals have also varied from year to year. Over the 2016–2025 period, 2020 recorded the highest average September rainfall at 3.19 mm, while 2017 recorded the lowest at 0.52 mm. Across the longer 1985–2025 period, 1986 recorded the highest average September rainfall at 4.84 mm, followed by 1992 at 4.68 mm. The records also document several notable daily rainfall events. Taif recorded the highest daily September rainfall among the monitored stations, with 51.6 mm on Sept. 17, 1997. Makkah recorded 40.4 mm on Sept. 11, 2015, while Khamis Mushait recorded 39.9 mm on Sept. 5, 1992, and Abha recorded 39 mm on the same date. Jazan also recorded the highest number of heavy-rain days during September over the 1985–2025 period, with 16 days in total. Makkah and Taif followed with 11 days each.