The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced that June 1st will mark the beginning of the meteorological summer, with forecasts predicting a significant rise in temperatures this summer, making it a hot season across most of the Kingdom. In contrast, the astronomical summer begins on June 23rd, highlighting the difference between meteorological calculations, which rely on established climate records, and astronomical calculations, which depend on the movements of the Earth and the Sun.
Weather forecasts and transitional phases
In this context, the official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology, Hussein Al-Qahtani, explained that current climate indicators do not show any signs of an early start to summer this year. This contrasts with what the Kingdom has experienced in some previous years, where the hot season began in late May. Al-Qahtani noted that the perceived temperature increase will gradually intensify as the summer season progresses.
Al-Qahtani explained that weather phenomena associated with the seasons become clearly visible during transitional phases. He pointed out that spring and autumn are considered transitional phases in the Kingdom's climate; not all regions experience these seasons in the same way. Rather, they witness noticeable changes and disturbances in weather elements, paving the way for the main seasons (winter and summer). Spring is a clear example of these phases, characterized by significant fluctuations in temperature. Some regions experience a drop in temperature in the evening followed by a rapid rise during the day, accompanied by active winds that stir up dust and rainfall of varying intensity, reflecting the nature of climate change.
The historical and climatic context of the Kingdom's summer
Historically, Saudi Arabia has been characterized as an arid desert climate, with high temperatures during the summer, particularly in the central and eastern regions. Meteorologists worldwide rely on June 1st as the start of summer to facilitate the collection and accurate comparison of climate data. The meteorological year is divided into four equal seasons to avoid discrepancies in astronomical dates from year to year.
Local and regional effects of the onset of summer
The onset of summer in the Kingdom has far-reaching effects, both locally and regionally. Locally, the anticipated rise in temperatures leads to a significant increase in electricity consumption due to the heavy reliance on air conditioning and cooling systems. This climate change also impacts daily life, with commercial and recreational activity increasing during the evening hours to avoid the intense daytime heat.
On the other hand, this seasonal change plays a pivotal role in boosting domestic tourism, as visitors flock to the southwestern highlands, such as Abha, Taif, and Al-Baha, which enjoy a mild summer climate. Regionally and internationally, summer weather forecasts are of paramount importance due to their frequent coincidence with the Hajj season. This prompts government agencies to intensify their preparations and implement necessary preventative measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims from heat stress, reflecting the Kingdom's high level of preparedness in managing crowds under diverse climatic conditions.
