When you picture fall in Riyadh, cooler evenings finally arrive after months of relentless desert heat. That image is pretty much spot-on. Average fall weather in Riyadh shows a steady drop in both daytime highs and nighttime lows, shifting from scorching at the start to actually pretty mild by the end.
This change makes autumn one of the more comfortable times to get out and enjoy the city.
You’ll notice the days get shorter and the skies start out mostly clear, but as November creeps in, there’s a bit more cloud cover. Rain is still rare, though late in the season you might catch a light shower.
Winds don’t do anything too dramatic, but you’ll feel subtle shifts in direction as the season transitions.
These patterns shape how you plan your days, from outdoor activities to evening walks in Riyadh’s parks or old city sites.
If you keep an eye on trends in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine, you’ll have a good sense of what to expect during these months.
Overview of Fall Weather in Riyadh
Fall in Riyadh brings a steady drop in temperature, shorter days, and small shifts in cloud cover and wind.
You’ll notice a real change from the brutal summer heat to more comfortable conditions, though rain almost never shows up and humidity stays quite low.
Transition from Summer to Fall
As summer wraps up, Riyadh’s weather cools off pretty fast.
Average daytime highs start around 107°F (42°C) in early September and drop to about 75°F (24°C) by late November.
Nighttime lows also slide down, from the mid-80s°F (29°C) to the mid-50s°F (13°C).
This temperature shift makes evenings much more inviting.
Unlike summer, when the heat lingers long after dark, fall nights actually feel cool and pleasant.
The days themselves get shorter, too.
In early September, you get over 12 hours of sunlight, but by late November, you’re down to about 10 hours and 45 minutes.
Sunrises come later, sunsets arrive earlier, and that changes when you’ll want to be outside.
Cloud cover inches up as fall goes on.
Skies are mostly clear early in the season, but by late fall, you’ll spot more partly cloudy days.
Still, most days stay sunny.
Typical Weather Patterns
Rain barely makes an appearance in Riyadh during fall.
The chance of a wet day starts near 0% in September and only creeps up to about 3% by late November.
When rain falls, it’s usually just a light sprinkle, with totals sticking around 0.1 inches per month.
Humidity hangs low, so you almost never feel muggy.
The dry air makes those cooler temps feel crisp, not damp.
Winds average around 7–8 mph.
Early in the fall, you’ll feel breezes from the east, then later, they come more from the south.
These winds don’t usually mess with daily life.
Solar energy drops off, too.
You get about 7.4 kWh of sunlight per square meter per day in September, but that falls to 4.3 kWh by November.
This shift in sunlight affects both the natural light and the warmth you feel, making the seasonal change obvious.
Air Temperature Trends During Fall
In Riyadh, fall brings a steady cooling after the intense summer heat.
You’ll notice a clear drop in both daytime highs and nighttime lows, making the weather far more manageable.
Average High and Low Temperatures
During fall, daily high temperatures typically drop from around 107°F (42°C) in early September to about 75°F (24°C) by late November.
Highs rarely go below 66°F (19°C) or above 110°F (43°C).
Daily low temperatures also slide down, from about 84°F (29°C) at the start of the season to near 56°F (13°C) by the end.
Lows almost never fall below 49°F (9°C) or rise above 89°F (32°C).
This steady drop in temperature makes being outside much easier.
While September can still feel hot, by November the air is cool and pleasant—perfect for sightseeing or grabbing dinner outdoors.
Monthly Temperature Changes
The cooling trend jumps out when you look at each month.
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September: Highs often stay above 100°F (38°C), and nights are warm, in the 80s°F (27–29°C).
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October: Things moderate, with highs in the 90s°F (32–35°C) and lows in the upper 60s°F (20–22°C).
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November: Days are mild, mostly in the mid-70s°F (23–25°C), and nights cool to the mid-50s°F (12–14°C).
You’ll feel hot weather early in the fall, but by late November, it’s more like springtime in other places.
The shift is gradual, so you have time to adjust.
Day and Night Temperature Differences
Riyadh’s desert climate creates large temperature swings between day and night.
In September, nights are only 15–20°F cooler than daytime highs.
By November, the gap widens, and nights can be 25–30°F colder than afternoons.
For example, a late November day might hit 75°F (24°C) but drop to 55°F (13°C) after sunset.
These swings can catch you off guard if you’re outside for hours.
You might need light clothes during the day, but you’ll want a jacket or sweater at night.
This big difference between day and night is a classic part of Riyadh’s fall weather.
Precipitation Patterns in Autumn
Rainfall in Riyadh during autumn stays limited, but you might notice small seasonal changes.
The city’s desert climate means dry days rule, though a few light showers can pop up, especially later in the season.
Rainfall Frequency and Amounts
You can expect very few rainy days in autumn.
On average, rainfall totals stay low, with only a couple of days seeing any measurable rain.
Most months get less than 10 mm of rain, and some weeks pass without a single drop.
Rain usually comes in short, scattered bursts.
Instead of steady rain, showers show up as quick splashes linked to passing weather systems.
These showers rarely last long, and the strong sun dries things up fast.
Humidity stays low, so even when it rains, the air feels dry.
Visitors don’t usually have to worry about extended wet spells messing up travel or outdoor plans.
Monthly Variation in Precipitation
In September, rainfall is basically zero.
By October, you might see a slight bump, but averages still stay under 5 mm.
Rain becomes a little more likely in November, when totals can reach 10–15 mm over a few days.
This slow rise happens as cooler air starts mixing with the warmer desert air.
Still, the overall pattern is dry compared to most places.
Here’s a quick look at typical autumn rainfall:
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days (avg) |
|---|---|---|
| September | ~0–2 mm | 0–1 days |
| October | ~3–5 mm | 1–2 days |
| November | ~10–15 mm | 2–3 days |
By late autumn, rain chances tick up a bit, but showers stay light and rare.
That makes fall a great season for outdoor plans, with little risk of rain spoiling your day.
Humidity Levels and Seasonal Comfort
During fall in Riyadh, humidity levels shift as the city moves from bone-dry summer into the cooler winter.
These changes affect how comfortable it feels outside, especially if you’re planning to travel or spend a lot of time outdoors.
Average Humidity During Fall
Humidity in Riyadh is generally low compared to coastal spots, but it does change over the season.
In September, relative humidity averages around 20–25%, so the air feels very dry.
By October, it rises closer to 30%, and in November it can reach 35–40%, especially in the mornings and evenings.
This gradual bump comes as temperatures cool, which makes the air feel less harsh than in peak summer.
Still, it’s pretty arid, and you might notice dry skin, a scratchy throat, or just the need for more water.
The rise in humidity in November brings a bit more comfort in the evenings.
While the air never feels damp, the extra moisture takes the edge off the dryness.
Don’t expect any real rain, though—Riyadh’s desert climate keeps precipitation very limited.
Impact on Outdoor Activities
Low humidity in September and October lets you handle outdoor heat better than in Saudi’s coastal cities.
Sweat evaporates fast, which helps cool you down, but it also means you can get dehydrated if you’re active for long stretches.
By November, the slight increase in humidity and cooler air make things much more pleasant for walking, sightseeing, or eating outside.
Evenings become especially nice, and locals often take advantage of this time for social gatherings or exercise.
You’ll still want to carry water, slap on sunscreen, and plan activities for mornings or later in the afternoon.
Even with moderate humidity, the midday sun can feel strong, and the dryness can drain your energy if you’re not careful.
Wind Conditions in the Fall Months
During fall, winds in Riyadh stay steady but not wild.
You’ll get moderate breezes with some variation month to month, and the wind direction usually fits the desert climate of central Saudi Arabia.
Prevailing Wind Directions
In Riyadh, fall winds mostly come from the north and northwest.
These directions are typical for the central plateau and bring in dry desert air.
Sometimes winds shift from the east or southeast, especially when the weather changes.
These shifts aren’t common but can stir up dust and sand across the city.
Since Riyadh sits far from the coast, you don’t get the sea breezes that affect cities along the Red Sea or Arabian Gulf.
The desert landscape shapes airflow, keeping things pretty consistent.
Wind direction matters for outdoor comfort.
Northern winds usually cool things down at night, while easterly winds can bring warmer, drier air.
You’ll notice the difference during outdoor activities or when visibility drops in dusty spells.
Wind Speed Fluctuations
Average wind speeds in Riyadh during fall run between 3 m/s and 5 m/s (about 7–11 mph).
These speeds are moderate and rarely mess with daily routines.
September is usually calmer, while October and November can bring a bit more breeze.
This matches the cooling trend of the season.
You might notice wind speeds pick up in the afternoons and drop at night.
That daily cycle is classic for desert climates, where temperature changes drive the wind.
Sometimes, stronger gusts pop up during quick weather shifts.
These gusts can kick up dust and lower visibility.
It’s easier to plan outdoor trips or sightseeing when you know winds are usually steady and predictable in the fall.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Availability
During the fall in Riyadh, skies go from mostly clear at the start of the season to a bit more cloudiness by late November.
Meanwhile, daylight hours shrink, which changes how much sunshine you get each day.
Average Cloudiness
Cloud cover in Riyadh ticks up as fall goes on.
In early September, skies are mostly clear, with only about 22% of the time considered overcast or mostly cloudy.
By late November, that number rises to about 29%, but clear skies are still the norm.
The clearest stretch usually lands around late September, when skies are clear or mostly clear more than 90% of the time.
That makes early fall a reliable time for outdoor plans and sightseeing without much cloud interference.
By late November, cloudier days show up a bit more, but the increase is nothing dramatic compared to other places.
Rain is still rare, so even on cloudier days, you can usually count on dry conditions.
For planning:
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September: Mostly sunny, hardly any cloudy days
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October: Slight uptick in cloud cover, but still bright
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November: Noticeable but still moderate rise in overcast periods
Length of Daylight Hours
Daylight hours drop off pretty fast in Riyadh during the fall. On September 1, you get about 12 hours and 37 minutes of daylight.
By November 30, that shrinks to around 10 hours and 44 minutes. So, you end up losing nearly 2 hours of daylight as the season goes on.
The sun starts setting earlier each week. Sunrise creeps later, too.
In early September, the sun comes up around 5:34 AM. By late November, it doesn’t rise until closer to 6:19 AM.
Sunset shifts from about 6:11 PM at the start of September to 5:03 PM by the end of November.
If you’re planning to be outside, you’ll want to keep those shorter evenings in mind. The earlier sunsets can cut sightseeing time a bit, but honestly, mornings stay bright and clear, so they’re perfect for getting out and exploring.