Sana'a, Yemen’s high-altitude capital, features a semi-arid to cold desert climate with mild, dry winters and warm, mostly rainless summers. The city’s elevation ensures moderate daytime temperatures year-round, stark day-night contrasts, and abundant sunshine, making it one of the most temperate capitals on the Arabian Peninsula despite its desert surroundings.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Sana'a’s climate is shaped by its elevation (over 2,200 m), resulting in cooler and more moderate conditions than most Arabian cities. Winters (December–February) are mild during the day, with highs of 20–23°C, but nights can be cold, sometimes dropping below 5°C or even to freezing. Frost is possible on the coldest nights, though days remain sunny and dry. Rainfall is minimal in winter, with only 5–10 mm per month, and humidity is low, typically 30–40%.
Spring (March–May) brings a gradual warming, with daytime highs rising from 24°C to 27°C. Rainfall increases, especially in April, which can see up to 48 mm, and brief showers are common. Summers (June–September) are warm but not excessively hot, with average highs of 26–30°C. Nights remain cool, around 13–15°C. The wettest period is July and August, but even then, rain falls on only a few days per month (10–70 mm), and sunshine dominates. Autumn (October–November) sees temperatures drop to 24–26°C by day and 7–13°C at night, with rainfall tapering off. Winds are generally light to moderate, often from the northeast, with occasional breezes strongest in spring and autumn. Sunshine is abundant year-round, with 8–10 hours per day, and UV levels are high due to the altitude.
Sana'a’s climate is defined by stark diurnal temperature swings, low humidity, and a short but noticeable rainy season. The city’s unique setting results in microclimates, with cooler conditions in the old city and warmer, breezier weather in newer, more open districts. Despite its desert location, Sana'a’s weather is generally pleasant and suitable for travel most of the year.
| Average climate data for Sana'a, Yemen | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 20 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 27 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 9 | 17 | 52 | 104 | 67 | 28 | 99 | 110 | 18 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 525 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 8 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 24 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 152 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 43 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 38 | 30 | 44 | 47 | 34 | 29 | 39 | 40 | 39 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 8 | 7 | 11 | 17 | 13 | 20 | 37 | 29 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 14 |
| Average UV index | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
The best time to visit Sana'a is from October to April, when temperatures are mild, rainfall is minimal, and days are sunny and clear. This period offers comfortable conditions for exploring the city’s historic sites and surrounding mountains, with cool nights and pleasant daytime warmth.
The least favourable time to visit is July and August, when the short rainy season peaks. While temperatures remain moderate, brief but sometimes heavy showers can occur. However, even in this period, rain is infrequent, and most days are still sunny and suitable for travel.
Sana'a has a semi-arid to cold desert climate with mild, dry winters and warm, mostly rainless summers. The high elevation ensures moderate daytime temperatures, cool nights, and abundant sunshine throughout the year.
October to April is the best time to visit Sana'a, with mild temperatures, little rain, and sunny days. This period is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities, with comfortable warmth and cool, refreshing nights.
Sana'a is generally dry, with most rain falling from March to August. April, July, and August are the wettest months, but even then, rain is infrequent and usually brief. Annual precipitation averages 100–265 mm, depending on the year.
Winter days are mild (20–23°C), but nights can be cold, sometimes dropping to 3°C or lower. Frost is possible on the coldest mornings, especially in January and February, but days remain sunny and pleasant.
No, summers in Sana'a are warm but not excessively hot, with daytime highs of 26–30°C. The city’s elevation keeps nights cool (13–15°C), and humidity remains low, making summer heat much more comfortable than in lowland deserts.
Pack layers for day-night temperature swings: light clothing for warm days and a jumper or jacket for cool evenings. Bring sun protection year-round, and a light rain jacket if visiting during the rainy months (April, July, August).
Sana'a enjoys abundant sunshine, with 8–10 hours per day on average. Even in the rainy season, most days are sunny, and UV levels are high due to the city’s altitude. Sunglasses and sun cream are recommended.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is June (26.8 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (19.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 23.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (18.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (9.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 14.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (109.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is October (5 mm). Over the whole year there are 525.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (26.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is October (2.5 days). Over the whole year there are 151.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is August (47.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is October (29.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 39.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is June (10.6 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is January (5.2 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is July (37.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is October (3.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 14.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 11 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 11.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 6.9 h). Over the whole year there are 9.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are November and December (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.1.
