Climate Report for Winter 2016 – 2017G
over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Winter Season begins astronomically from 22 December to 28 February , while The meteorological
winter calendar starts from the beginning of December and ending in February.
The winter solstice occurs when the sun is furthest south from Earth's equator and the Earth's
Northern Hemisphere is tilted away resulting in less solar heating. Additionally, winter season is
recognised by having the shortest day and the longest night of the year accompanied by a decreases
in surface temperature to the lowest values during the year. Winter season is accompanied with
unstable weather and increases of thunderstorms, dust storms and surface winds activity. Generally,
January is defined as the coldest month during the winter.
Temperature :
By the will of Allah Almighty, the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection
(GAMEP) and throughout the analysis of long rang forecast numerical models (LRF) indicates that the
temperature during the winter will be higher than seasonal averages over the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia generally (see figure 1).
Figure (1) : Expected Changes in Temperature as a result from numerical models (LRF) during winter season.
Temperature Averages (Maximum – Minimum) During the winter season
over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Region/City
Riyadh
Makkah
Al Madinah
Gassim
Eastern Province
Aseer
Tabuk
Hail
Northern Borders
Gazan
Najran
Al baha
Al jouf
Minimum Temperature
7,1
8,5
11,8
6,5
8,6
7.5
2,2
2,9
1,7
81,8
9,2
9,8
2,8
Maximum Temperature
88,5
28,8
89,6
88,8
82,5
82,8
86,6
82,8
19,7
21,9
88,8
82,7
18,6
Rainfall:
Generally, Rainfall is expected to be around the seasonal averages during the winter over most of the
Kingdome of Saudi Arabia (see figure 2). Moreover, rainfall rates can be above the averages in some
places due to up normal climate situation (Extreme weather events) which can be predicted using
short rang forecast models.
Figure (2) : Expected Changes in rainfall as a result from numerical models (LRF)
during winter season.
Rainfall Average (mm)
Dec
Jan
Feb
Riyadh
15,2
16,1
8,1
Makkah
19,2
19,8
8,6
Al Madinah
7,8
7,2
8,6
11,5
11,8
2,1
Jeddah
Dammam
19,8
19,6
5,7
Gassim
16,8
19,8
9,2
Gazan
17,2
12,2
2,8
Najran
2,8
2,2
1,2
Al hasa
19,9
12,8
12,8
Wadi Al Dwasir
2,8
1,5
2,5
Tabuk
2,7
7,7
1,7
Al wajeh
9,8
9,2
2,8
Al jouf
9,2
18,8
6,2
Guriat
9,8
12,1
2,7
Arar
8,7
9,8
6,5
Turaif
11,2
18,5
11,1
Rafha
9,7
12,5
8,1
Yenbo
11,9
6,5
2,9
Hail
8,2
18,8
7,6
Abha
2,1
15,2
18,2
Al baha
2,7
9,5
2,5
Taif
7,2
9,6
1,6
Bisha
8,8
9,2
2,7
Sharorah
1,5
2,8
8,5
Khamis Mushait
1,5
7,2
2,2
Qisumah
19,6
81,8
11,8
Historical Rainfall Averages During the winter season over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Region/City