Hajj weather: 45 degrees Celsius in Mina and extreme heat expected in Arafat
Hajj weather: High temperatures in Mina and Arafat
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced high temperatures in the holy sites during this year's Hajj pilgrimage. On the Day of Tarwiyah, Mina recorded a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, reflecting the hot summer weather prevailing in the region. This heat was accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 26 kilometers per hour, while the highest humidity level reached 36%. These announcements are part of ongoing and meticulous monitoring of weather conditions in the holy sites to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.
Arafat weather forecast for the day of Hajj
In a related context, the National Center of Meteorology explained that Mount Arafat continues to experience the highest temperatures among the holy sites since the beginning of this year's Hajj season, having previously recorded 48 degrees Celsius last Saturday. Initial readings and weather forecasts indicate the possibility of temperatures reaching approximately 45 degrees Celsius tomorrow, God willing, in the sacred plains of Arafat during peak hours. This necessitates thorough preparation from both pilgrims and organizers.
Historical context and the Kingdom's efforts to combat the summer heat
Historically, the Hajj season in recent years has coincided with the summer months in Saudi Arabia, posing significant climatic challenges to organizing this great ritual. For decades, the Saudi government has been developing infrastructure in the holy sites to mitigate the effects of the heat, including installing thousands of misting columns along pedestrian walkways, providing ample shaded areas, and ensuring the free and continuous distribution of chilled Zamzam water. These cumulative efforts reflect the paramount importance the Saudi leadership places on the comfort and safety of pilgrims and highlight the Kingdom's ability to manage millions of people under harsh climatic conditions.
The importance of weather monitoring and its impact on the safety of pilgrims
Monitoring temperatures in the holy sites is of paramount local and international importance, as millions of Muslims from around the world, with diverse climatic conditions, flock to the Kingdom. Accurate weather forecasting helps the Ministries of Health and Hajj and Umrah enhance the preparedness of field hospitals and health centers to handle any cases of heat exhaustion or sunstroke. Furthermore, this transparency in disseminating meteorological information strengthens the international community's confidence in the Saudi management of the Hajj season and underscores the Kingdom's significant technological advancements in the field of meteorology.
Continuous monitoring and important preventive guidelines
For his part, the official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology, Hussein Al-Qahtani, confirmed that the center continues to monitor the weather conditions in the holy sites around the clock. This is done through an advanced and integrated system of automated monitoring stations and modern technologies, to ensure the provision of accurate and up-to-date information that directly contributes to supporting the authorities responsible for serving the pilgrims and facilitating their safe performance of the rituals.
Al-Qahtani added that the high temperatures during this period are typical of the summer season in the Makkah region. He issued an urgent appeal to pilgrims to fully adhere to the preventive guidelines issued by health and security authorities. These guidelines include avoiding direct sun exposure, especially during the midday hours when temperatures peak, while also emphasizing the importance of drinking plenty of fluids and water, and using light-colored umbrellas. These simple measures play a crucial role in mitigating heat stress and maintaining the safety and health of pilgrims during the Hajj rituals.
