The National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) has confirmed that 2025 will mark a turning point for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with this year likely being the last time it will coincide with extreme summer heat until 2050.
Speaking to reporters, NCM spokesperson Hussein Al Qahtani stated that the seasonal shift comes as a natural result of the Hijri calendar’s lunar cycle, which advances Hajj dates by approximately 11 days each year in the Gregorian calendar.
“As early as 2026, Hajj will begin falling in spring, offering pilgrims more moderate temperatures. This will continue through winter and then autumn, giving worshippers roughly 25 years of reprieve from summer heat,” said Al Qahtani.
The NCM has developed a 25-year forecast showing how future pilgrimage seasons will align with cooler periods, which could significantly reduce the risk of heat-related health concerns during the religious event.
He explained that spring will host the next eight Hajj seasons, followed by eight in winter and a sequence in autumn, before the cycle returns to summer by 2050.
For millions of Muslims who travel to Saudi Arabia each year, this change is seen as a favourable development. “It’s an opportunity to perform religious obligations under more manageable weather conditions,” Al Qahtani noted.
The news is expected to influence future preparations by the Saudi authorities, who have made substantial investments in infrastructure, medical support, and crowd management, especially during the hotter months.
Pilgrims and organisers alike are likely to welcome this long-awaited seasonal shift, marking a new era for the Hajj experience.
