Expats will find the weather in Saudi Arabia a challenging factor to contend with. Except for the province of Asir on the western coast, the country is mostly desert. Rainfall is sparse, days are incredibly hot and temperatures can drop drastically at night.

Variation in climate in Saudi Arabia largely occurs between the interior and the coastal regions – temperatures inland can get extremely high. Expats will most likely have a difficult time adjusting to highs that regularly soar above 104°F (40°C) during the day. Summers are long and dry. On the other hand, winter temperatures can dip below freezing. Saudi Arabia also experiences dust storms, which can make outdoor activities difficult.

Expats should be wary of the possibility of heatstroke and exhaustion, especially from May to September.

 
 

Further reading

►For more on adjusting to life in the Kingdom, see Culture Shock in Saudi Arabia

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