AI-generatedAl-Ula at a glance
- Best time
- Nov – Mar
- Warmest month
- Aug · 41°
- Sunshine a year
- 3,290 h
- Rain a year
- 32 mm
- Climate
- Hot desert
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Elevation
- 692 m
Climate in Al-Ula
Al-Ula has a hot desert climate with sunshine almost every day and hardly any rain. August is the warmest month with average highs of 41 °C, while January is the coolest at 20 °C. With around 3,290 hours of sunshine a year, Al-Ula is very sunny; June is the sunniest month with 10.3 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: November – March
Keep in mindPeak heat
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 22°
- Midday, 13:00: about 33°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 33°
- Evening, 20:00: about 25°
- Night, 23:00: about 22°
06:2718:01
Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:12–06:58 · evening 17:30–18:15
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:03–06:12 · evening 18:15–18:24
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Al-Ula in October?
In October, Al-Ula is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 34 min06:27 – 18:01
- UV index
- 8 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 15 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 12 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 28 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+3Asia/Riyadh
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %14 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %92 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %100 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Water bottle – drink plenty
Sunshine hours in Al-Ula
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 8.5 of 11.6 hours of daylight in Al-Ula, 73 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Al-Ula
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 8 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 12).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 20 min
- Light brown skin
- about 30 min
- Olive skin
- about 40 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Al-Ula: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, it hardly ever rains in Al-Ula: 2 mm in the whole month.
Wind and clouds in Al-Ula
How breezy and how cloudy Al-Ula is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Al-Ula typically peaks at 15 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, light breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 12 % of the sky over Al-Ula: mostly clear, with about 8.5 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Al-Ula
How often the day gets hot in Al-Ula (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Al-Ula has about 28 hot days, with an average daytime high of 34 °C: often hot. Avoid the midday sun, look for shade and drink plenty.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Al-Ula
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- Hot 24° and more
PleasantOctober: nights around 17°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open.
The coolest nights are in January (5°), the warmest in August (24°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from June to September; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from April to May and in October. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from December to February, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 97 | 20° | 5° | 8.0 h | 1 | 4 |
| FebruaryFeb | 97 | 23° | 7° | 8.2 h | 0 | 2 |
| MarchMar | 98 | 27° | 10° | 8.7 h | 1 | 4 |
| AprilApr | 69 | 32° | 15° | 9.6 h | 1 | 3 |
| MayMay | 50 | 36° | 19° | 10.0 h | 1 | 2 |
| JuneJun | 50 | 40° | 21° | 10.3 h | 0 | 0 |
| JulyJul | 50 | 40° | 23° | 10.1 h | 0 | 0 |
| AugustAug | 50 | 41° | 24° | 9.8 h | 0 | 1 |
| SeptemberSep | 50 | 39° | 21° | 9.0 h | 0 | 0 |
| OctoberOct | 55 | 34° | 17° | 8.5 h | 0 | 2 |
| NovemberNov | 97 | 27° | 11° | 8.0 h | 1 | 8 |
| DecemberDec | 96 | 22° | 7° | 7.7 h | 1 | 6 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
26.61° N, 37.92° E · 692 m · Asia/Riyadh
Best time to visit Al-Ula
The best time to visit Al-Ula is from November to March. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from November to March. From May to October it can get very hot, with highs of up to 41 °C. Rain is a rarity all year: only 32 mm fall in an average year.
Al-Ula through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Al-Ula in spring
Mar – May
Good
- 27–36 °C by day
- 9 h of sun a day
- 2 rainy days in all
Al-Ula in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 40–41 °C by day
- 10 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days in all
Al-Ula in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 27–39 °C by day
- 9 h of sun a day
- 2 rainy days in all
Al-Ula in winter
Dec – Feb
Excellent
- 20–23 °C by day
- 8 h of sun a day
- 2 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Al-Ula for you.
Your best months: December – February
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Al-Ula
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
March has the better holiday weather in Al-Ula: score 98 against 55. In March, days are 7 °C cooler than in October. March has one more rainy day.
| Month | October | March |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 55 | 98better |
| Day high | 34° | 27° |
| Night low | 17° | 10° |
| Sunshine | 8.5 h | 8.7 h |
| Rainy days | 0better | 1 |
| Rainfall | 2 mm | 4 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Nov – Mar
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
May – Oct
Highs of 33 °C or more
Al-Ula month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
97January20° · 8 h
In January, Al-Ula is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in January97February23° · 8 h
In February, Al-Ula is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in February98March27° · 9 h
In March, Al-Ula is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, March is an excellent month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in March69April32° · 10 h
In April, Al-Ula is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 22 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in April50May36° · 10 h
In May, Al-Ula is very hot: daytime highs average 36 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in May50June40° · 10 h
In June, Al-Ula is very hot: daytime highs average 40 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in June50July40° · 10 h
In July, Al-Ula is very hot: daytime highs average 40 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 31 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in July50August41° · 10 h
In August, Al-Ula is very hot: daytime highs average 41 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 31 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in August50September39° · 9 h
In September, Al-Ula is very hot: daytime highs average 39 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, September is a so-so month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in September55October34° · 9 h
In October, Al-Ula is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in October97November27° · 8 h
In November, Al-Ula is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 5 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, November is an excellent month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in November96December22° · 8 h
In December, Al-Ula is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, December is an excellent month for a holiday in Al-Ula.
Al-Ula in DecemberAl-Ula compared
Put Al-Ula side by side with another destination.
No destination found
Al-Ula vs. Tabuk
In October Tabuk has the better holiday weather (score 74 vs. 55). During the day Tabuk is 3 °C cooler than Al-Ula. Tabuk gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Al-Ula | Tabuk |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 55 | 74 |
| Daytime high | 34° | 31° |
| Sunshine | 9 h | 8 h |
| Rainy days | 0 | 0 |
| Best time | Nov – Mar | Nov – Apr |
Through the year
Saudi Arabia in October: the best places
In October, Al-Ula ranks 6 of 10 destinations in this country.
- Jizan34°32°80
- 2Tabuk31°74
- 3Jeddah33°31°59
- 4Yanbu34°30°58
- 5Dammam34°30°56
- 6Al-UlaThis page34°55
- 7Riyadh34°54
- 8Khobar35°30°53
Planning a trip to Al-Ula
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Al-Ula in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Al-Ula has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 97) and its weakest during May half-term (score 50).
- 78
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Good
- 30 °C by day
- 9.3 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
- 50
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 37 °C by day
- 10.1 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 50
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Fair
- 41 °C by day
- 9.9 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 55
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 34 °C by day
- 8.5 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 97
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
ExcellentBest holidays
- 21 °C by day
- 7.9 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 5 h 35 min
- Distance
- 4,240 km
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Al-Ula
When is the best time to visit Al-Ula?
The best time to visit Al-Ula is from November to March. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Al-Ula?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 41 °C and nights around 24 °C. January is the coolest month at 20 °C.
When does it rain most in Al-Ula?
Rain is a rarity all year: only 32 mm fall in an average year.
How many hours of sunshine does Al-Ula get?
Al-Ula gets around 3,290 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is June with 10.3 hours a day; in December there are 7.7 hours a day.
What time zone is Al-Ula in?
Al-Ula uses the time zone Asia/Riyadh, at UTC+3 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Al-Ula?
A nonstop flight from London to Al-Ula takes about 5 h 35 min, for a straight-line distance of about 4,240 km.
Which school holidays are best for Al-Ula?
Al-Ula has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 97) and its weakest during May half-term (score 50). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 78, May half-term 50, Summer holidays 50, October half-term 55, Christmas holidays 97.
Near Al-Ula
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Al-Ula
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Al-Ula's – good alternatives.