Suhail Star Returns: Countdown to Cooler Weather Begins

Residents across the Kingdom can once again watch for the Suhail star (Canopus) on the southern horizon before dawn — a traditional signal that the countdown to the end of extreme summer heat has begun and that weather will gradually improve as autumn nears.

The star follows a familiar annual timetable. It first becomes visible in the southern region around Jazan near 7 August, then in central regions around 24 August, and finally in the northern regions around 8 September. The Suhail season lasts roughly 52 days, moving through four phases of about 13 days each, during which nights turn progressively cooler and daytime heat slowly moderates.

For 2026, the star's rising over the Northern Borders Region is expected on 26 August at about 5:51 a.m., roughly one minute before local sunrise. Even so, high temperatures can linger into late September, with more noticeable relief usually arriving from early October. The Al-Wasim season, tied to the start of autumn, follows later in October and pushes the cooling trend further.

Why it matters

Suhail is a cultural calendar rather than a physical cause of cooler weather. Its appearance marks the end of the peak "al-qayz" heat and the start of a gradual decline in temperature and humidity — days stay hot, but nights begin to ease. For generations, farmers, herders, sailors, and desert travelers have used it as a seasonal clock to plan outdoor activities and prepare for cooler, rainier periods, especially in areas like Aseer.

The appearance of Suhail is a natural astronomical and cultural event. There are no fees, portals, or official services connected to it — simply a longstanding sign that the harshest heat of the year is easing.

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