The Meteorology Department announces the weather forecast for Mecca and the holy sites during Hajj
While the maximum temperatures during this period will range between 44 and 47 degrees Celsius, the minimum temperatures will range between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius, with a humidity level ranging between 10% and 40%.
Ghulam indicated that the wind movement will generally be southwesterly to northwesterly, with speeds ranging from 15 to 40 km/h.
Temperatures during Hajj
Regarding the period from the Day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah) until the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, Dr. Ghulam stated that the weather will be hot, with skies ranging from clear to partly cloudy. Surface winds are expected to continue stirring up dust and sand, especially during the daytime. Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius, and minimum temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels ranging between 15% and 55%.
He added that the wind direction during this period will generally be northwesterly at speeds ranging from 20 to 50 km/h. Thunderstorms are also possible over the highlands of Taif Governorate, and their effects may extend to the Holy Sites, accompanied by surface winds stirring up dust and sand due to downdrafts.
This came during his inspection tour today, to assess the readiness of the National Center for Meteorology’s operations in Makkah and the Holy Sites, where he confirmed the center’s readiness for this year’s Hajj season through an integrated operational system of modern technologies and qualified national personnel, in support of the authorities concerned with serving the pilgrims, and to achieve the highest levels of accuracy in monitoring and analyzing weather phenomena, in implementation of the wise leadership’s directives to harness all capabilities to facilitate the performance of the rituals.
Using weather radars
The center's plan for this year's Hajj includes monitoring weather conditions in Mecca, the Holy Sites, Medina, and the entry points, airports, and roads leading to them. This monitoring utilizes weather radars, satellite imagery, and the Saudi numerical weather prediction model, all under the supervision of highly trained national personnel. The center's network is further strengthened by a robust field monitoring system comprising 59 automatic stations, 19 mobile automatic stations, 3 fixed radars, 1 mobile radar, 6 manned stations, 2 upper-air monitoring stations, and 2 mobile upper-air monitoring stations.
In a related development, the center launched the "Media Production and Digital Communication Center" to disseminate weather bulletins and awareness messages in multiple languages across 15 media and digital platforms. These platforms target pilgrims and relevant authorities, employing the latest artificial intelligence technologies and advanced imaging techniques. The center collaborates with regional centers within this year's Hajj plan, including the Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms, the Climate Change Center, and the Cloud Seeding Program. To contribute to supporting the Hajj season by providing climate studies and analyzing weather phenomena, and exploring opportunities to improve the weather in a way that enhances the safety and comfort of pilgrims.
