Extreme Heat Grips Saudi Arabia: Highs Near 45°C

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a spell of extreme heat, with current forecasts pointing to highs of around 45°C in Madinah and Dammam and about 44°C in Riyadh and Buraidah during the ongoing alert period in August 2026. Residents across the Kingdom are being urged to take precautions as temperatures climb well above seasonal norms.

The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has issued alerts covering several regions, including heat waves affecting the Eastern Province and the eastern and southern parts of the Riyadh region, where maximum temperatures are expected to range between 47°C and 50°C. Short-term heat-wave warnings have also been issued for Riyadh on specific days, with defined start and end times for the expected peak temperatures.

The heat is part of a broader pattern of above-normal temperatures across all regions of the Kingdom from August through October 2026, with maximums in some areas reaching between 47°C and 50°C. Recent daily forecasts have recorded or predicted highs of up to 49°C in Dammam, 45–47°C in Riyadh, 42–47°C in Madinah, and 45–47°C in Buraidah.

The current climate outlook notes that the highest August temperature ever recorded in Saudi Arabia is 51°C, registered in Qaisumah in 1998 and in Dammam in 2021 — a reminder that the present pattern falls in line with previously observed extreme heat.

Why it matters

These heat events are often accompanied by thunderstorms, hail, dust-stirring winds and the risk of flash floods across various parts of the country, sometimes in the same areas facing very high surface temperatures. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity during peak hours, stay hydrated, and follow official city-specific bulletins and early warnings issued through NCM platforms for the latest forecasts and safety guidance.

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