Saudi Arabian authorities have issued a heat advisory ahead of this year’s Hajj, warning that pilgrims could face extremely high temperatures reaching up to 47°C, according to a Gulf News report on Friday.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) cautioned that the holy sites are expected to experience very hot weather conditions. Daytime temperatures are forecast to hover between 40°C and 47°C, while nighttime lows could drop to between 27°C and 32°C. Humidity is predicted to vary between 15% and 60%.
Dr. Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the NCM, said that winds from the north and northwest, blowing at 25 to 35 km/h, may kick up dust, potentially affecting visibility in open areas and along highways. He also mentioned a chance of thunderstorms developing in the Taif highlands, which could extend to the holy areas between Dhu Al Hijjah 8 and 13. These weather systems may bring strong downdrafts, worsening dusty conditions.
Pilgrims have been advised to take protective measures, remain hydrated, and stay updated through official weather alerts during the pilgrimage.
To enhance comfort, the Kingdom has implemented heat-mitigation initiatives such as the recently launched cooled pedestrian pathway in Mecca. This project is part of the broader Cooled Roads Initiative, aimed at reducing surface temperatures and improving walking conditions for pilgrims.
According to the Saudi Gazette, the General Directorate of Passports reported that over 1.25 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia so far. This includes 1,186,810 arrivals by air, 63,301 by land, and 5,088 by sea. The directorate stated that advanced systems and multilingual staff are in place to ensure smooth entry procedures.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance welcomed the second group of pilgrims under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit. This group consists of 1,053 individuals from 76 different countries. Minister Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al-Sheikh highlighted the program as a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hospitality and global Islamic unity.
Meanwhile, final preparations are underway at the holy sites to ensure a safe and comfortable pilgrimage. The Ministry of Tourism announced that over 1,160 hospitality establishments in Makkah are now licensed, representing a 54% increase in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year
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