When Does Summer End in Saudi Arabia 2026? Autumn, Weather & Back-to-School Forecast

Saudi Arabia’s meteorological summer is ending. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has confirmed the Kingdom is in the final days of the summer season and will move into a transitional period, with autumn (fall) beginning on 1 September 2026.

For expat families, this matters for two reasons: the weather shift affects daily life, and the change lines up exactly with the back-to-school season — NCM is already urging students and parents to follow official weather forecasts and alerts as schools reopen.

When exactly does summer end in Saudi Arabia?

• Meteorological summer in Saudi Arabia runs June–August. It ends in late August 2026.
• Autumn (fall) begins on 1 September 2026 — the start of the meteorological autumn season.
• After summer ends, the Kingdom enters a transitional phase: extreme heat gradually eases, especially in the central and northern regions, though coastal and southern areas stay humid.

Note: This is the meteorological season (fixed calendar dates), which differs from the astronomical autumn that begins later with the equinox. Saudi weather reporting follows the meteorological calendar.

What the National Center for Meteorology said

NCM ( @ncmksa ) published the season-change notice along with:

• Historical climate statistics for September — average conditions for the month across the Kingdom’s regions.
• Daily weather alerts and marine conditions for the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, issued per day.
• A back-to-school weather advisory: students should track official forecasts and warnings for a “safer, more prepared” return to school.

NCM also continues to publish highest-temperature readings across the Kingdom each day through late August, so expect a few more very hot days before the drop.

Back-to-School Weather Outlook

With the 2026–27 school year starting in late August, the timing overlaps the summer-to-autumn transition. Practical points for families:

• Check NCM alerts before commuting — dust events and sudden heat spikes are still possible in late August.
• Hydration and sun protection remain essential for the first weeks back, especially for outdoor school runs.
• The cooler autumn trend from September makes morning routines and travel more comfortable as the term settles in.

See the Saudi School Calendar 2026–27 for exact term dates and how schools align with public holidays.

Typical September Weather by Region

Figures are general trends from NCM’s September climate records; daily alerts override averages.

FAQ — Saudi Arabia Summer & Autumn 2026

When does summer end in Saudi Arabia in 2026? Meteorological summer ends in late August 2026; autumn begins 1 September 2026.

Is the season change the same as the equinox? No. The September 1 date is the meteorological autumn start. The astronomical autumn equinox comes later in the month.

Does the weather get cool immediately after summer? Not instantly. Late August can still be very hot, but a gradual transitional cooling begins, with clearer relief from September.

Where do I get official Saudi weather alerts? From the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) via its official channels and the NCM app — the authoritative source for forecasts, dust alerts, and marine conditions.

How does this affect back-to-school plans? NCM advises following daily forecasts and warnings during the school return. Expect hot late-August days easing through September.

Related Guides

• Saudi School Calendar 2026–27 — term dates and holiday alignment
• Saudi Public Holidays 2026 — National Day, Founding Day and Eid dates
• Saudi School Uniform Regulations 2026 — what expat parents must know

Source

National Center for Meteorology (NCM / @ncmksa), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — season-change announcement, September climate statistics, and back-to-school weather advisory, published 19–20 August 2026.