Weather in Saudi Arabia

Expats will find the weather in Saudi Arabia a forceful factor to contend with. The country is mostly desert and it follows that rainfall is sparse, days are incredibly hot and temperatures can drop drastically at night.

Variation in climate in Saudi Arabia largely occurs between the interior and the coastal regions; the eastern side of the peninsula borders the Arabian Sea and the western side of the peninsula borders the Red Sea.

Inland heat is extreme and expats will most likely have a difficult time adjusting to highs that soar regularly above 45°C (113°F) during the day. Summers are long and dry. Alternatively, winter temperatures can dip below freezing and dust storms can make outdoor activities difficult.

The coastal regions experience more manageable temperatures (seldom above 38°C (100°F)), but humidity can be as much as 100 percent.

Expats should be wary of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, especially between the months of May to September.

Weather in Saudi Arabia is often an unaccounted for "hardship factor", and expats should keep this element in mind when negotiating a contract.