Hajj to Move Out of Summer Season for the Next 25 Years, Saudi Weather Center Predicts

According to the latest forecast from Saudi Arabia’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM), starting from 2026, the annual pilgrimage will transition away from the peak summer months for at least the next 25 years. Hussein Al-Qahtani, the spokesperson for the NCM, confirmed this encouraging development in a statement issued on Monday.

The NCM explains that because the Islamic (Hijri) lunar calendar is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar, the timing of Hajj rotates through the seasons over a 33-year cycle. According to the long-term meteorological calendar extending to 2050, Hajj will take place during the spring season for eight consecutive years starting from 2026. This will be followed by an eight-year period where the pilgrimage falls during the winter months, providing a much cooler environment for the rituals. After the winter phase, the season will shift into the mild and pleasant weather of autumn for several years before eventually returning to the summer cycle around the year 2050.

In recent years, pilgrims have faced extreme temperatures reaching between 45°C and 47°C in Makkah and the plains of Arafat, posing severe health risks, particularly for elderly worshippers. However, with this year's Hajj scheduled between May 25 and May 30, the weather is expected to remain within the spring range, offering much more tolerable conditions. Experts believe that the shift to cooler months will significantly aid the Saudi authorities in managing large crowds and ensuring the physical well-being of pilgrims as they perform the demanding outdoor rituals of Mina and Arafat.