Saudi Arabia enters annual peak of summer heat
Saudi Arabia enters annual peak of summer heat
05:53 AM, July 17, 2026
Each year, Saudi Arabia experiences its most intense summer heat during the period known as Jamrat Al-Qaydh.
July 17, 2026 | 05:53 AM
Last Updated: July 17, 2026 | 05:53 AM
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RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Thursday entered the period known as “Jamrat Al-Qaydh,” regarded as the hottest phase of the summer season.
Spanning several weeks, this period sees most of the Kingdom's regions undergo a notable temperature increase, frequently hitting their highest annual peaks.
Burjas Al-Falih, a member of the Afaq Astronomy Society, told the Saudi Press Agency that Thursday marked the effective start of Jamrat Al-Qaydh, coinciding with the first day of the second Gemini period, known as Al-Han’ah.
Al-Han’ah lasts for 13 days and is considered the fourth astronomical phase of the summer season.
Al-Falih said Jamrat Al-Qaydh usually begins in mid-July and continues until early August.
The period is also popularly known as “Tabbakh Al-Tamr,” or the “date cooker,” because the intense heat accelerates the ripening of dates and their transformation into the rutab stage.
He said the period is characterized by hot winds and sharply rising temperatures, accompanied by higher humidity levels in coastal areas.
Al-Falih urged the public to follow official safety guidance, particularly by avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during peak hours between noon and the afternoon, and by drinking sufficient water and fluids to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
The extreme heat, often dubbed the 'date cooker' because it accelerates date ripening, has significant implications for agriculture and daily life. Residents adjust work schedules and increase cooling usage to cope. Authorities typically issue heat advisories during this peak period.
Original source: Saudi Gazette
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