Saudi Arabia’s November climate records reveal second-highest average monthly rainfall

JEDDAH — November is historically Saudi Arabia’s second-wettest month of the year, averaging 13.29 millimeters of rainfall based on climate records from 1991 to 2020, according to the NCM. The center’s historical analysis, covering records from 1985 to 2025, shows that November rainfall is generally concentrated in central Saudi Arabia and parts of the Kingdom’s western and eastern regions. Based on the 1991–2020 climatic reference period, Al-Qassim records the highest average November rainfall among monitored stations at 29.3 millimeters, followed by Qaisumah at 27.2 millimeters, Jeddah at 27.1 millimeters, Makkah at 25.1 millimeters and Taif at 23.1 millimeters. The NCM’s historical records also show that 2018 recorded the highest nationwide average November rainfall at 49.84 millimeters during the 1985–2025 period, followed by 1996 at 42.82 millimeters and 1997 at 39.27 millimeters. In terms of extreme daily rainfall, Al-Wajh recorded 116.4 millimeters on November 17, 1996, while Taif recorded 103 millimeters on November 15, 1996, according to the report’s station records. The NCM also examined the historical frequency of heavy rainfall days during November. Qaisumah recorded the highest cumulative number at 33 days across the 1985–2025 period, followed by Al-Qassim at 32 days, while Makkah and Taif each recorded 30 days. For temperatures, the Kingdom’s normal average November temperature stands at 20.7°C, making it the fourth-coolest month of the year based on the 1991–2020 reference period. The normal average maximum temperature for November is 27.7°C, while the average minimum temperature is 14.28°C. Historical records show that Yanbu recorded a November daily high of 42°C, while Makkah recorded 41.2°C. The lowest daily temperature among the monitored stations was −5.8°C in Al-Qurayyat. The NCM’s historical analysis also found that 1998 recorded the highest nationwide average November maximum temperature at 30.08°C during the 1985–2025 period. In contrast, 1988 recorded the lowest nationwide average November minimum temperature at 12.45°C. The center’s long-term climate averages indicate that November temperatures are generally higher in western and southwestern Saudi Arabia, while lower averages are recorded in northern regions and the southwestern highlands.