Makkah is one of the hottest cities in Saudi Arabia — summer temperatures regularly exceed 45 °C (113 °F), and the comfortable season runs October to March, when daytime highs drop into the low–mid 30s Celsius. Rainfall is rare throughout the year, and humidity is generally lower than on the coast (Jeddah is noticeably more humid). The practical question for a visitor is not “is it hot” (yes, it is), but “which months suit my activities best?” — Umrah at the Haram runs year-round in air-conditioned comfort, but outdoor activities like climbing Jabal al-Noor or visiting the Arafat plain are heavily weather-dependent.
Makkah weather by month
| Month | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Rain days | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30 | 18 | 1 | Umrah, comfortable daytime |
| February | 31 | 19 | 0 | Umrah, ziyarat |
| March | 34 | 21 | 0 | Umrah, ziyarat |
| April | 37 | 24 | 1 | Umrah (getting warm for outdoor activities) |
| May | 41 | 28 | 0 | Umrah (avoid midday outdoor) |
| June | 43 | 30 | 0 | Umrah only (45+ °C, outdoor limited) |
| July | 43 | 30 | 1 | Umrah only (peak heat) |
| August | 43 | 30 | 0 | Umrah only |
| September | 42 | 28 | 0 | Umrah; Jabal al-Noor climb before Fajr only |
| October | 38 | 25 | 1 | Umrah and outdoor activities (cooling) |
| November | 34 | 22 | 1 | Comfortable — ideal for all activities |
| December | 31 | 19 | 1 | Comfortable — ideal for all activities |
Best time to visit Makkah
The comfortable season is October through March — daytime temperatures sit in the high 20s to mid 30s Celsius, making outdoor visits (Jabal al-Noor, Jabal Thawr, the Arafat plain) practical. This is also the popular season for Umrah outside the Ramadan peak.
For Umrah specifically: Umrah season 1448AH runs from late May 2026 through early April 2027 — the coolest months inside this window are October–March. The busiest period is Ramadan (especially the last 10 nights) and the weeks around the school holidays. The full Umrah season dates, visa windows and Nusuk rules are on the Step-by-Step Umrah Guide.
Note on heat outdoors: from April through September, daytime climbing (Jabal al-Noor or Jabal Thawr) is best done before Fajr or after Asr/late afternoon — the climb is strenuous, has no shade or water, and midday heat can exceed 45 °C. The path may be restricted on extreme-heat days.
FAQs: Makkah weather
What is the best month to visit Makkah? November, December and January — daytime high ~30 °C, cool evenings, and no rain to speak of.
Is Makkah too hot in summer? Yes, for outdoor activities — daytime temperatures 43+ °C. The mosque is fully air-conditioned, so Umrah is still comfortable indoors.
Does it rain in Makkah? Rarely — 0–1 rain days per month, mostly December–March.
When is the best time for Umrah? October–March for comfortable weather; any month is valid, but summer and Ramadan are peak crowd times.
Can I climb Jabal al-Noor in summer? Yes, but only at dawn (before Fajr) or in the evening (after Asr). Carry plenty of water.
- Step-by-Step Umrah Guide
- Jabal al-Noor & Cave of Hira Guide
- Masjid al-Haram Guide
- Makkah Taxi Service
Sources: general weather data (Makkah climate — annual averages from weatherbase/timeanddate). Dates [VERIFY] current Umrah season windows on nusuk.sa at drafting.