Saturday, December 27, 2025
Coldest Temperatures Ever Recorded in Saudi Arabia: NCM Winter Report (1985–2025)
Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has revealed the lowest temperatures ever recorded in the Kingdom during the winter season. The coldest temperature reached was minus 10 degrees Celsius in Hail on January 16, 2008. This remains the lowest winter temperature recorded in Saudi Arabia.
Winter Temperature Study from 1985 to 2025 in KSA
In a statistical report released on Thursday, the NCM reviewed minimum temperatures and frost conditions across Saudi Arabia during winter months. The study covered December, January, and February from 1985 to 2025. Trending: MOH begins inspections on expatriate workers and food sector workers screening
Second and Third Lowest Temperatures in Saudi Arabia
According to the report:
➤ Qurayyat in the Al-Jouf region recorded the second-lowest temperature at minus 9°C in January 2008.
➤ Turaif in the Northern Borders region recorded temperatures as low as minus 8°C on several occasions during the same period.
➤ Al-Jouf city recorded minus 7°C in February 1989.
Other Saudi Cities with Sub-Zero Temperatures in Saudi Arabia
Several other cities across the Kingdom also experienced freezing temperatures during different years in the study period:
🔘 Arar: minus 6.3°C
🔘 Rafha: minus 5.8°C
🔘 Riyadh: minus 5.4°C
🔘 Buraidah: minus 5°C
🔘 Qassim: minus 4.2°C
🔘 Tabuk: minus 4°C
🔘 Al-Ahsa: minus 2.3°C
🔘 Wadi Al-Dawasir: minus 2°C
🔘 Taif: minus 1.5°C
🔘 Bisha: minus 1°C
2008 Was One of the Coldest Years in Saudi Arabia
The NCM highlighted that 2008 was among the coldest years on record in Saudi Arabia. Lowest temperatures were recorded in several cities that year, including Hail, Riyadh, Buraidah, Qassim, and Tabuk. Most Viewed: Riyadh Metro annual and semester wise ticket prices
Top 10 Cities with the Most Frost Days in Saudi Arabia
The report also ranked the top 10 cities by number of frost days recorded between 1985 and 2025:
1. Turaif: 720 frost days
2. Qurayyat: 588 frost days
3. Hail: 339 frost days
4. Arar: 277 frost days
5. Rafha: 197 frost days
6. Sakaka: 185 frost days
7. Tabuk: 139 frost days
8. Buraidah: 83 frost days
9. Al-Qaisumah: 71 frost days
10. Riyadh: 46 frost days
Purpose of the NCM Report
The NCM explained that this report is part of its ongoing efforts to study and document long-term climate data. The goal is to support scientific research and increase public awareness about the diverse climate conditions across Saudi Arabia. Read: SAMA cuts banking service fees for individuals
 |
| Coldest Temperatures Ever Recorded in Saudi Arabia: NCM Winter Report |
