Riyadh experiences a desert climate with scorching summers and mild winters, marked by extreme aridity and negligible rainfall throughout the year.

Rain is an occasional novelty here, arriving sporadically between November and April, though even then it barely justifies owning an umbrella.

Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, while winter nights can drop to around 8°C, creating a temperature swing that catches many visitors off guard.

Humidity remains mercifully low year-round, though spring shamal winds can whip up dust storms that render contact lenses a questionable choice.

The intensity of UV radiation here demands sun protection even in winter, when the deceptively mild air temperature masks the strength of the desert sun.