Winter in Mecca, Saudi Arabia feels nothing like the brutal summers the city is famous for.
Daytime temperatures usually stay mild, hanging out between the upper 70s and mid-80s °F (about 25–29°C). Nights cool off to the upper 60s °F (around 20°C). You get one of the most comfortable times of year to experience the city’s climate.
Rain barely shows up, and when it does, it’s usually a quick burst in December or January.
Skies stay mostly clear, and sunshine rules most days. Daylight hours are shorter than in summer, but you still get plenty of sun.
With just a few rainy days each winter, outdoor plans almost never get ruined.
What really stands out about winter in Mecca is how steady and reliable the weather feels. You skip the extreme summer heat and the occasional flash floods of the in-between seasons, but you still get warm days and pleasant evenings.
Winter really shows how the city’s desert climate shapes daily life.
Typical Winter Temperatures in Mecca
Mecca’s winters stay warm compared to most places.
You’ll notice mild nights, warm afternoons, and barely any change in temperature from day to day.
Average Highs and Lows
In winter, the average daily high in Mecca sits near 84–86°F (29–30°C). It almost never drops below 77°F (25°C) or climbs above 95°F (35°C).
The average daily low lands around 61–64°F (16–18°C). On the chilliest nights, it might dip to about 54°F (12°C), but that’s rare.
Summer highs often blast past 105°F (40°C), so winter feels way more comfortable. You can actually spend hours outside without worrying about the heat.
Quick Reference:
| Temperature | Average (°F) | Range (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| High | 84–86 | 77–95 |
| Low | 61–64 | 54–70 |
Temperature Variation by Month
December, January, and February barely differ in temperature.
- December: Highs hover around 85°F (29°C), lows near 63°F (17°C).
- January: Slightly cooler, with highs at 84°F (29°C), lows closer to 61°F (16°C).
- February: Temperatures tick up again, highs at 86°F (30°C), lows near 64°F (18°C).
You won’t notice big swings from month to month. Mecca’s winter doesn’t bring sharp cold fronts or wild drops in temperature.
The steady desert climate makes planning outdoor activities straightforward.
Nighttime and Daytime Differences
You’ll definitely notice the difference between day and night, but it’s not dramatic.
Afternoons usually hit the mid-80s°F (29–30°C). Nights cool down to the low 60s°F (16–18°C).
That’s a shift of about 20°F (11°C), so evenings feel a lot cooler than the day.
You might want light clothes during the day and a sweater or jacket at night. The dry desert air lets heat escape fast after sunset, which explains those cooler nights.
This daily rhythm gives you warm daylight for activity and cooler, more comfortable evenings for rest.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Mecca barely gets any rain, and most of it falls in the cooler season.
The total amount is small, but sudden downpours can cause brief flooding in low areas.
Average Monthly Rainfall
Rain in Mecca is scarce compared to most cities. Historical data says the city averages about 100–120 mm (4–5 inches) of rain per year.
Most rain falls from November to January, with January often being the wettest month.
In January, expect around 30–40 mm of rain. December usually gets a bit less. By February, rainfall drops off, and late spring is almost completely dry.
Here’s a quick look at the averages:
| Month | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| November | 20–25 |
| December | 25–30 |
| January | 30–40 |
| February | 10–15 |
Outside these months, rain is nearly nonexistent. Summers often see less than 1 mm.
Rainy Days Frequency
Rain falls on very few days in Mecca. On average, you’ll see 2–3 rainy days in January and about 1–2 days each in November and December.
Some years bring a little more, but plenty of years see no rain at all during these months.
Rain events are short but can be intense. Sometimes, a single storm dumps most of the month’s rain in just a few hours.
Since the ground is dry and drainage isn’t great, even small totals can cause flash flooding.
From May through September, rain is extremely unlikely. You could go weeks or even months without a single drop.
Humidity Levels During Winter
Humidity in Mecca during winter runs higher than in summer, but it still stays moderate compared to Saudi Arabia’s coastal cities.
Average relative humidity in December and January usually sits between 40% and 55%.
Cooler temperatures make this humidity feel more comfortable. In summer, the heat and dryness combine to make things harsh, but in winter, humidity brings a mild balance.
Mornings might feel a bit more humid, especially after a cool night. By afternoon, the dry desert air returns.
Most travelers find winter’s humidity way easier to handle than the oppressive dryness and heat of summer.
Sunshine Hours and Cloud Cover
Winter days in Mecca are shorter than in summer, but you still get loads of direct sun.
Cloud cover is low, so expect bright skies most days with only the occasional overcast spell.
Daily Sunshine Duration
Winter days in Mecca last about 10.9 to 11.5 hours of daylight, according to historical data.
You’ll usually get around 8 to 9 hours of actual sunshine per day. That’s plenty of clear daylight for getting outside.
The shortest day comes in late December with about 10 hours and 50 minutes of daylight. January and February slowly stretch to over 11 hours.
Even at its shortest, you get more daylight than many regions do at this time of year.
Because Mecca lies in an arid climate, winter sunlight feels strong and direct.
You won’t see much haze, and rain rarely interrupts the sun.
Cloudy Versus Sunny Days
Clouds don’t show up much in Mecca’s winter.
January and February skies are clear or mostly clear about 80% of the time, based on long-term averages. That gives you a great chance of sunny days during your visit.
December is the cloudiest winter month, but even then, skies are clear or partly clear nearly 79% of the time. So, only about 2 out of 10 days might feel overcast.
Rain is rare, averaging less than 0.2 inches per month, so clouds hardly ever stick around.
You can expect mostly sunny conditions, with just brief cloudy spells that don’t really cut into daylight.
Wind Speed and Weather Conditions
Winter in Mecca calms down the winds compared to the hotter months, but breezes still shape how things feel.
Speeds stay moderate, and strong gusts hardly ever show up, so conditions are pretty stable for outdoor plans.
Typical Wind Speed in Winter
Historical data shows Mecca’s winter wind speeds usually land between 5 to 9 mph (8 to 14 km/h).
That’s light to moderate, so you probably won’t notice strong gusts.
The city’s desert basin location and surrounding mountains help block stronger winds. This natural barrier keeps the air more stable, especially in December, January, and February.
Mornings tend to be calm. Afternoons might bring a bit more breeze, but even then, it’s gentle and rarely uncomfortable.
Humidity stays low in winter, so winds don’t carry much moisture. The air feels dry, but not harsh.
Most travelers find the mix of warm temperatures and light breezes pretty comfortable.
Windy Day Occurrences
Windy days in Mecca’s winter are rare.
On average, you’ll only get a handful of days with noticeable gusts, and those usually come with passing weather systems, not day-to-day weather.
Most winter days stay calm, with fewer than 10% of days reaching higher wind levels. Even then, speeds rarely top 15 mph (24 km/h).
Winter brings predictable wind patterns. You can expect mostly steady, light breezes without surprises.
For visitors, this means outdoor plans—walking between sites or hanging out in open spaces—aren’t likely to get spoiled by wind.
Comparing Winter to Other Seasons
Winter in Mecca stands out from the rest of the year.
Temperatures drop to their mildest, and rain becomes more likely, while summer and spring are all about extreme heat and dryness.
These changes affect comfort, daily routines, and how you get ready for time outside.
Temperature Differences Across Seasons
In winter, daily highs in Mecca usually reach 30–32°C (86–89°F). Nights drop to around 18–20°C (64–68°F).
That’s a big relief compared to the rest of the year.
Summer highs often shoot above 43°C (109°F), and even at night, it barely cools down—lows stay near 29°C (84°F).
Spring and autumn are transition periods, but you’ll still see temperatures above 38–42°C (100–108°F).
Winter really is the best for being outside. You can walk longer or spend time at open-air sites without the same risk of overheating you’d face from June through August.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Season | Avg High °C | Avg Low °C | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 30–32 | 18–20 | Mild, pleasant |
| Spring | 35–42 | 23–27 | Hot, rising heat |
| Summer | 42–44 | 28–30 | Extremely hot |
| Autumn | 35–42 | 23–29 | Warm, easing heat |
Rainfall and Humidity Changes
Rain in Mecca is rare overall, but winter is when you’ll see the highest chance of showers.
December and January often bring 15–22 mm of rain. Summer months like June and July record almost 0 mm.
Humidity also changes. In winter, relative humidity can hit 55–59%, especially in December.
The air feels just a bit heavier compared to summer, when humidity drops to 33–36%.
These differences matter for comfort and visibility. In winter, you might get short, occasional rain. In summer, the air stays dry and dusty for weeks.
For planning, winter’s cooler temperatures and higher humidity make it the most breathable season. Summer’s dryness and intense sun mean you need to take more precautions.
Historical Weather Data and Trends
Winter in Mecca stays warm compared to most places, but historical records reveal clear patterns in temperature, rainfall, and the occasional unusual event.
When you look at long-term data, you get a better sense of what to expect during the cooler months.
Long-Term Climate Patterns
Historical weather data tells us that Mecca’s winters usually feel mild. Temperatures at night dip to around 16°C (61°F), and during the day, they climb to about 30°C (86°F).
People notice that winter humidity drops compared to summer, and the skies tend to stay clear.
Rainfall in winter doesn’t happen often, but it’s still more likely than in the summer months. The city gets about 100, 130 mm (4, 5 inches) of rain each year, with most of it falling between November and January.
When it does rain, it usually comes and goes quickly, not as long, steady showers.
Long-term records show that winter temperatures almost never fall below 12°C (54°F). That kind of consistency really makes winter a great season for spending time outdoors.
Sunshine sticks around too, with an average of 8, 9 hours of daylight every day, even in the coolest months.
The Köppen system classifies Mecca’s climate as hot desert (BWh). So, winters stay warm and dry, with barely any seasonal change compared to other places.
Notable Weather Events in Winter
Winters usually feel pretty stable, but if you dig into the records, you’ll find some oddball weather events. Sometimes, heavy downpours hit the city and trigger flash flooding, especially in those low-lying neighborhoods.
Travelers and locals might not expect it, but these rare storms do pop up now and then. In the past, intense rainstorms have thrown off transportation and slowed down daily life for a bit.
The city’s terrain doesn’t help much, since it channels water fast through the valleys, which bumps up the flooding risk.
You might also get dust and sandstorms during winter, though honestly, they tend to show up more when it’s hotter. When they do roll in, visibility can drop fast, and strong winds make it tough to be outside.
Extreme cold isn’t really a worry here. Still, when sudden rain teams up with strong winds, Mecca has seen some pretty memorable winter weather. Those moments really stand out compared to the city’s usual, predictable winters.