When you picture summer in Kuwait City, there’s really just one word—heat. Average daytime highs soar well above 40°C (104°F), and sometimes they push close to 46°C (115°F) during the hottest stretch. Nights don’t offer much relief, usually staying above 30°C (86°F). Summer here is, honestly, one of the most extreme times of year.
The air stays dry, with almost zero rainfall, and the sky hardly ever clouds over. Sunshine dominates, and the daylight hours in June are long before they start shrinking a bit by August.
Humidity creeps up later in the summer, making things feel heavier, especially if you’re near the coast.
If you spend any time outside, you’ll notice the desert winds and the warm Arabian Gulf shaping daily life. These conditions affect everything from how comfortable you feel to the best times for hitting the waterfront.
Overview of Summer Climate in Kuwait City
Kuwait City faces some of the planet’s highest summer temperatures, with extreme heat that drags on for months. Days are dry, sunny, often windy, and locals rely on shade, hydration, and air conditioning just to get by.
General Weather Patterns
During summer, daytime highs in Kuwait City often hit 46–47 °C (115–116 °F), and sometimes they spike above 50 °C (122 °F). Nights stay warm, averaging around 30 °C (86 °F), so you don’t really get a break after sunset.
Humidity usually sits very low, often under 20%. Dry air makes the heat less sticky than coastal places, but it also means you can get dehydrated fast.
Desert winds blow in a lot, carrying dust or sand and sometimes making the air hazy.
Rain basically never happens in summer. You’ll see clear skies almost every single day, with 10–11 hours of sunshine. The weather stays predictable but, honestly, it can feel relentless if you’re out for long.
People depend on air conditioning in public spaces, hotels, and transport. Without it, the heat can get dangerous, especially in the afternoon.
Typical Summer Months
Summer in Kuwait City runs from June through August, but the heat can start in May and linger into September.
- June: Highs around 46 °C (115 °F). Nights hover near 29 °C (84 °F).
- July: The hottest month, with highs reaching 47 °C (117 °F) and records above 52 °C (126 °F).
- August: Temps stick close to July, but humidity can climb a bit near the coast.
By September, highs fall closer to 44 °C (111 °F), though it’s still sweltering. The Gulf’s sea surface temperatures top 30 °C (86 °F), so swimming feels more like a warm bath.
If you want to be outside, try early mornings or evenings. The midday sun is just brutal, and most people avoid it.
Average Temperatures During Summer
Summer in Kuwait City brings some of the world’s highest temperatures. Days are scorching, nights stay warm, and there’s hardly any cool breeze. July usually takes the prize for hottest month.
Daytime Highs and Nighttime Lows
Daytime highs in summer usually land between 107°F to 115°F (42°C to 46°C). On the worst afternoons, you might see temps near 119°F (48°C), especially late in July.
Nights don’t cool off much. Lows often stay between 82°F and 90°F (28°C to 32°C), so there’s little real relief. Even after sunset, the air can feel oppressively hot and dry.
This constant heat means air conditioning and shade aren’t just nice—they’re necessary.
Temperature Variations by Month
Summer in Kuwait City generally stretches from June through September. June starts off hot, with highs near 108°F (42°C) and lows about 82°F (28°C).
July ramps things up. Highs reach around 113°F to 115°F (45°C to 46°C), and lows hover near 88°F (31°C). This is the toughest month to be outside.
August stays close to July, maybe just a touch less intense. Highs usually hit 112°F (44°C), and lows are about 87°F (31°C). September finally brings a little relief, with highs around 104°F (40°C) and lows near 80°F (27°C).
Hottest Days of the Season
The most brutal heat usually arrives in late July, when highs can spike to 115°F (46°C) or even more. On the worst days, you might see 118°F (48°C).
During these stretches, day and night temps don’t differ much. For example, a really hot day might hit 115°F (46°C) in the afternoon and only drop to 88°F (31°C) overnight.
If you’re planning to go outside, stick to early mornings or after sunset. Otherwise, it’s just too much.
Humidity and Dew Point Levels
Kuwait City’s summer weather combines high temperatures with changing humidity and dew point levels. These factors really shape how the heat feels and how comfortable (or not) you’ll be outdoors.
Average Humidity in Summer
Humidity in summer tends to stay pretty low. In July, average relative humidity drops to about 40–45%—the driest time of year. By August, it might rise a bit but still stays way below winter levels, which often hit 65–70%.
This low humidity comes from the desert climate. Hot winds from inland areas bring dry air, cutting down on moisture.
Coastal areas near the Gulf sometimes get higher humidity, especially in the evenings.
When humidity is low, sweat evaporates faster, which helps your body cool down. But in this kind of extreme heat, that only goes so far, and you might still feel overheated.
Dew Point Trends
The dew point tells you how much moisture is in the air. In a Kuwaiti summer, dew points usually stay below 15°C (59°F), which means the air stays pretty dry. This is most common in June and July when desert winds are strongest.
By late August, dew points can rise to 20°C (68°F) or so, especially near the coast. At that point, the air starts to feel heavier, even if the humidity percentage doesn’t look high.
Dew point is handy to track because it doesn’t bounce around as much as relative humidity. Under 15°C feels dry, but above 20°C, you’ll notice it gets muggy—even in Kuwait’s heat.
Impact on Comfort Levels
High temps, low humidity, and shifting dew points all play a part in how you feel outside. When dew points stay below 15°C, the heat feels dry but still overwhelming, even in the shade.
If dew points creep toward 20°C, the air gets heavier and less pleasant. This is especially true near the Gulf, where extra moisture drifts in.
Plan outdoor activities for early morning or after sunset when temps and dew points drop. Staying hydrated and ducking into air conditioning during the hottest hours really helps.
Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Kuwait City sits in an arid desert, so summer brings almost no rain. The air stays bone dry, and most days are totally clear.
Rainfall Frequency in Summer
Rain during summer? Basically nonexistent. June, July, and August each average less than 0.5 mm of precipitation—so little that it’s often just recorded as zero.
July is the driest month, with about 0 rainy days. June and August aren’t much different, and if rain does fall, it’s a total fluke.
This matches the desert climate, where yearly totals only hit about 100–130 mm. Summer barely adds to that, since almost all rain falls between November and March.
Dry air and cloudless skies mean intense sunshine rules the season, with no breaks from wet weather.
Chance of Wet Days
Your odds of seeing rain in summer are about as close to zero as it gets. In July or August, the chance of measurable rainfall is pretty much 0%, and in June it’s still under 1%.
So, you can count on completely dry conditions these months. If a shower does show up, it’s brief and barely makes a difference.
For comparison, the wettest month is November, with about 3 rainy days. That just shows how rare summer rain is in Kuwait City.
Don’t expect rain to cool things off in summer. Instead, get ready for long stretches of dry, sunny weather.
Sunshine, Daylight, and Cloud Cover
Kuwait City gets long, bright summers with tons of sunshine, extended daylight, and not much cloud cover. These factors really shape how you plan your days during the hottest months.
Average Hours of Sunshine
During summer, you’ll see 10 to 11 hours of direct sunshine daily. June, July, and August are the brightest months, and August actually tops out at about 11 hours.
Most days stay clear and bright. The city racks up over 3,300 hours of sun annually, which is about 76% of available daylight.
Compared to a lot of places, Kuwait’s summer means high sun exposure. You’ll want to plan for strong UV levels at midday, since the sun sits almost directly overhead, especially in June.
Daylight Duration Changes
Daylight shifts a bit over the summer. Around the summer solstice in late June, you get the longest days—nearly 14 hours of daylight.
By July, the days get a bit shorter but still last above 13 hours. In August, the decline is more noticeable, dropping to about 13 hours by month’s end.
The gap between the longest and shortest days of the year is about 3 hours and 44 minutes. This long daylight means more time outside, but also more hours exposed to the heat.
Cloud Cover Trends
Cloud cover stays low all summer in Kuwait City. On average, skies are clear or mostly clear more than 70% of the time. August is peak sunshine, with about 84% of daylight hours free of real cloud cover.
June and July are also bright, though sometimes haze and dust can make things look a little washed out. Cloudy periods are rare and never last long.
You should expect long stretches of sun with not much shade, so plan your outdoor time to avoid the harshest hours.
Winds and Atmospheric Conditions
Summer in Kuwait City brings strong, dry winds and shifting air pressure, which really affect comfort and visibility. These conditions can change your outdoor plans, mess with driving safety, and make the desert heat feel even more intense.
Prevailing Wind Patterns
During summer, you’ll often notice northwesterly winds called the Shamal. Locals know these winds best between June and August, when gusts sometimes hit over 40 km/h.
They blow in fine desert dust, which lowers air quality and occasionally stirs up sandstorms.
The Shamal sticks around for several days at a stretch. Its dry gusts make the already intense heat feel even more unforgiving.
Evenings might bring a bit of relief, but the wind doesn’t really let up. Outdoor plans? The Shamal can definitely get in the way.
Travelers should watch out for these winds, since they may cut visibility on highways or even cause flight delays. If you’re heading outside, it’s smart to pack some protective eyewear or a light face covering.
Air Pressure and Visibility
In summer, air pressure in Kuwait City stays mostly steady and keeps those hot, dry days going. Since there’s barely any rain and the wind doesn’t quit, visibility often drops, especially when dust hangs in the air.
On clear days, you can see more than 10 km across the city. But when a sandstorm hits, that view shrinks to less than 1 km.
Driving or working outside gets tricky fast.
Humidity usually sits low, around 20–30%. That helps keep haze away, but it also means dust swirls around more easily.
Most days, you’ll get bright, clear skies. Still, when the Shamal picks up, visibility can suddenly tank.
Before any long drive, it’s wise to check local weather updates. That way, you can steer clear of poor visibility that might pop up without warning.
Sea Temperatures and Outdoor Activities
Kuwait’s summers heat up the sea, so swimming and water sports are pretty much always on the table. But honestly, the heat on land can make most outdoor activities tough to enjoy for long.
Average Sea Surface Temperatures
The sea near Kuwait City heats up fast in late spring and stays hot through August. In summer, surface temperatures usually land between 30°C (86°F) and 33°C (91°F). The water feels more like a heated pool than a cool break from the sun.
July and August tend to bring the hottest water, often close to 33°C (90°F). June is a little easier to handle, averaging about 31°C (88°F). You can swim, snorkel, or go boating, though honestly, some folks might find the water a bit too warm for a long dip.
Unlike a lot of coastlines, the Persian Gulf doesn’t really cool you off much. With outdoor air temperatures often soaring past 40°C (104°F), the sea feels nice but not exactly refreshing. If you want cooler water, you might prefer early summer or late spring.
Best Times for Outdoor Recreation
Summer air temperatures in Kuwait City can shoot past 45°C (113°F), so you really have to think about when to go outside. The midday hours? Honestly, they’re just not safe for hanging around outdoors, especially in July when the heat is at its worst.
Most people head out for walking tours or park visits in the early morning or after sunset. At those times, the air still feels warm, but it doesn’t hit you as hard, and the sun hangs lower in the sky.
Water activities give you a bit more wiggle room since the sea stays warm all day long. Folks usually go for jet skiing, paddleboarding, or evening boat trips to soak up the coastline but skip the brutal midday sun.
If you want to stay comfortable and safe, stick to shady spots, drink plenty of water, and save the heavy exercise for cooler hours. That way, you can actually enjoy Kuwait’s summer without feeling wiped out by the heat.