Jeddah is a hot, humid Red Sea city: the comfortable window is November to March, the best months are December to February, and May to September is genuinely punishing — not so much for the raw number as for the humidity, which makes a 38 °C Jeddah day feel far heavier than the same figure inland in Makkah or Madinah. Jeddah is nearly rainless most of the year; November is the one month to watch, as the city’s wettest month and the month with a history of flash flooding. This guide gives the month-by-month picture, the humidity factor, the sea temperature, and what to pack — so you can pick your window and plan the Corniche and beach days when they are actually pleasant.
Jeddah weather at a glance
| Best overall | November–March — warm, sunnish days and the least oppressive humidity |
| Sweet spot | December–February — comfiest days, coolest nights; also peak visitor season |
| Shoulders | April and October — warmer, fewer crowds |
| Avoid if you can | May–September — hot and humid (feels like 40 °C+); outdoor days are punishing |
| Rain | Rare year-round — November is the wettest month, with a flash-flood history |
| Sea | Red Sea ~25–31 °C — swimmable most of the year |
| The catch | Humidity — coastal Jeddah feels hotter than inland cities at the same temperature |
When is the best time to visit Jeddah?
The comfortable season is November through March. Daytime highs sit around 28–33 °C and the humidity eases enough to enjoy the city outdoors — the Corniche, the beaches, Al-Balad, and the walkable evenings. December to February is the sweet spot, and it is also peak season, so book hotels and plan transport early.
April and October are good shoulders if you want fewer crowds and don’t mind warmer days (October highs are still around the mid-30s).
May to September is the season to plan around, not against. The city is hot and humid, the “feels like” temperature runs well above the number, and midday outdoor time is best avoided. Indoor options — like the Fakieh Aquarium — are the natural midday program in summer.
Jeddah weather by month
| Month | Typical high °C | Typical low °C | Humidity / rain | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28 | 19 | Low rain; mild, some humidity | Excellent — outdoors, Corniche, Al-Balad |
| February | 29 | 19 | Low rain; mild | Excellent |
| March | 31 | 20 | Rising warmth | Very good — window keeps into March |
| April | 34 | 22 | Getting humid | Good shoulder |
| May | 37 | 24 | Humid; feels hotter | Watch — early-morning outdoor only |
| June | 38 | 25 | Very humid | Avoid midday outdoors |
| July | 39 | 27 | Very humid; hottest along with August | Avoid midday outdoors |
| August | 39 | 28 | Very humid; warmest month | Avoid midday outdoors |
| September | 37 | 26 | Humid; easing late month | Watch |
| October | 36 | 24 | Humid but cooling | Good shoulder |
| November | 33 | 23 | Wettest month — flash-flood history | Very good (check forecasts) |
| December | 30 | 20 | Mild; low rain | Excellent — peak season |
Directional bands from a consensus of public climate sources (timeanddate, climate-data.org); coastal Jeddah’s figures are stable year to year, so no single-year claim is made. Transition months follow the same pattern.
The humidity factor
This is the honest difference between Jeddah and anywhere inland. Jeddah sits on the Red Sea, so humidity is high year-round and worst in summer — the sea breeze moderates the thermometer but loads the air with moisture. The practical result: a 38 °C day in Jeddah can feel notably heavier than a 38 °C day in dry inland Makkah or Madinah. Plan summer days as early-morning or after-sunset affairs, and treat the “feels like” figure, not the raw temperature, as what your body actually experiences.
The November caution — rain and floods
Jeddah is near-rainless for most of the year, so it’s easy to assume it never rains. November is the exception: it’s the city’s wettest month, and Jeddah has a recorded history of flash flooding in heavy November rain. This is a planning caveat, not a reason to avoid the month — but check the forecast on a November trip, allow flexibility on outdoor plans, and take heavy rain seriously when it is forecast.
Sea temperature and beach days
The Red Sea off Jeddah stays warm — roughly 25–31 °C across the year — so swimming is comfortable for most of the year, warmest in summer. For the wind-down beach and waterfront plans, see the Jeddah Corniche & beach guide (free shoreline vs resort day passes) and the Jeddah day-trips guide for the beach/day-pass options up the coast. The best months for a beach day are the same comfortable window: November–March.
Packing by season
The packing rule for Jeddah is light and breathable. In the comfort window (Nov–Mar), light layers cover warm days and cooler evenings; in summer (May–Sep), pack for heat and humidity — breathable fabrics, sun protection, and a spare set for sweaty days. Modest dress applies in public and religious settings; the detail lives on the national what to wear in Saudi Arabia guide.
Getting around in each season
The summer heat is the main reason a visitor thinks about door-to-door transport rather than walking between sites. For fixed-price rides to the Corniche, the beaches, Al-Balad or the aquarium — and for planning a trip around the season — see the Jeddah taxi service. The wider day plan lives on the Jeddah travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Jeddah? November to March. December to February is the sweet spot — the most comfortable days and nights, though it’s also peak season, so book early.
How hot does Jeddah get in summer? Typical daytime highs run around 38–39 °C from June to August, but high humidity makes it feel considerably hotter — treat the “feels like” figure as what you’ll experience.
Is Jeddah more humid than Makkah or Madinah? Yes. Jeddah is coastal on the Red Sea, so humidity is high year-round and worst in summer. Inland Makkah and Madinah are drier, so Jeddah often feels hotter at the same temperature.
Does it rain in Jeddah? Rarely — but November is the wettest month, and Jeddah has a history of flash flooding in heavy November rain. Check the forecast and stay flexible on outdoor plans that month.
What is Jeddah like in December? Comfortable and popular: typical highs around 30 °C, mild nights, low rain — the sweet spot of the year, and peak visitor season.
Can you swim in Jeddah in winter? Usually yes — the Red Sea stays warm (roughly 25–31 °C across the year), so winter swimming is comfortable for many people.
What should I pack for Jeddah? Light, breathable clothing for the heat and humidity, plus light layers for cooler winter evenings and modest dress for public/religious settings. Full detail: what to wear in Saudi Arabia.
Sources
- Public climate data: timeanddate.com, climate-data.org (coastal Jeddah monthly high/low bands).
- Coastal humidity (“feels like”) vs inland dry heat (Makkah/Madinah contrast); November is the wettest month, with a flash-flood history; the Red Sea stays around 25–31 °C.
- Sea temperatures shown are typical ranges — check live values before swimming.