Saudi cities recorded temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius this morning, despite the scorching summer heat!

While most regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are experiencing extremely hot weather, weather stations recorded temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius this morning, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in a number of cities in the north and southwest of the country. This is a rare sight during the height of summer in the Arabian Peninsula.

According to weather data released at 6:00 a.m. GMT, the city of Al-Qurayyat in the northwest of the Kingdom recorded the lowest temperature in Saudi Arabia at 18.7°C, followed by the city of Abha in the southwest of the country at 19.2°C, and then Khamis Mushait at 19.6°C.

These temperatures are remarkably low, especially since they were recorded during what is known to be one of the hottest periods of the year, with temperatures in many regions, particularly in the central and eastern regions, exceeding 45 degrees Celsius during the day.

Saudi Arabia is not all burning desert!

This wide temperature variation highlights the Kingdom's unique climate diversity, which ranges from hot deserts to temperate highlands and gentle plains. While areas such as Al-Ahsa, Riyadh, and Dammam experience high temperatures during the day, sometimes exceeding 47 degrees Celsius, cities such as Abha and Khamis Mushait enjoy moderate, even cool, weather during the morning and evening hours.

Tourist destinations to escape the summer heat

These high-altitude regions are popular summer tourist destinations, with many citizens and residents flocking to enjoy the mild climate and stunning natural scenery, especially in the Asir region, which boasts a unique mountainous climate, dense vegetation, and seasonal festivals that attract thousands of visitors annually.

With temperatures set to rise across most parts of the Kingdom this week, those seeking pleasant weather are advised to head to these relatively cooler regions, which offer a completely different summer experience than what's typical in the Arabian Gulf.