Best time to travel to the Middle East

The Middle East is touched by many bodies of water, The Persian Gulf, The Red, Black and Arabian Seas, and the Mediterranean, but still their climate is arid desert with mountain climates. Seasonality in this area varies by region, but generally speaking, the spring and the fall are the best times to visit, this is when their weather is the mildest. The summer months are known to be scorching hot, in particular in places like the desert. On the opposite side of that, the winters can encompass freezing temperatures in places like the Mountains.
When looking into the northern part of the Middle East, such as the Iran-Iraq region, it’s important to know that from mi-April until November it is best to avoid because their weather can be extreme. The winter is also not the best time to visit this area, because the temperatures drop dramatically, down to 11*C. Also, Ramadan, which is the Muslim month of fasting takes place during the winter. As a result, many of the Middle East’s restaurants are close during the day.
November through February are the best times to visit the Saudi Arabian region, their climate is at its best during this time. It is just past the time from April through October when their sweltering heat and humidity can be overwhelming.
Of course when looking into a trip to this area, outside of the weather, it is smart to look into the political situation taking place before making any travel arrangements.

Climate of the Middle East

The Middle East has always been considered to be a dry place. The basic climate of the Middle East is hot and dry, although winters are mild with a little rain. The north of the desert is home to the great steppes. This area has extremes of temperature and rain in winter and spring. The rest of the area has rainfall between March and November and sometimes will experience floods from March to May. Summers are long and hot and winters mild and wet along the Mediterranean coast. The coastal areas are humid but have a steady breeze to compensate.
Rainfall and temperature are known to change considerably across the Middle East and even within all the different countries. The Caspian Sea coast of Northern Iran receives up to 2000 mm of rain a year, on the other hand, the desert regions of Iran often receives no rain at all for many years. Temperatures also vary by region. Ankara in the central plateau region of Turkey averages 32°F in January and 73°F in July.
The low-lying coastal regions of the Arabian Peninsula of Jordan and Iraq, and those bordering the Mediterranean Sea have much more moderate winter temperatures. Jeddah in western Saudi Arabia averages 75°F in January and 89°F in July, while lowland desert areas in the interior regions of the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt have extreme heat in the summer, with temperatures sometimes reaching 77°F or higher
Across the Middle East, summer temperatures are usually around 85*F, but often rise above 100*F on many days. In Baghdad, the record high is 120*F; in Basra, 124*F, which is not only unbearable, but also the highest temperature recorded in any major Middle Eastern city. In the Saudi desert, however, temperatures over 120*F are common. This causes most storms crossing the Middle East become dust- or sandstorms when strong winds whip the dry desert surface; as many as 38 occur annually.
The impact of global warming which is expected to bring rise in temperatures between 3.2*F and 7*F, which will melt ice caps and submerge coastal areas, forcing those living in Middle East to move inland, and face even more scorching summers. It is likely to affect the oil production and have far reaching impact on the Middle East economy.

Best time to visit Israel

Being that this is a predominately Jewish area; the most expensive time to travel is during any of the Jewish holidays. Be careful of this while planning your trip or else you may end up spending a lot more than you had planned on. The best months to travel in would be in the spring months of April and May, or in autumn during September or October. The temperatures are most pleasant during these months than any of the others. November and March also have the same temperatures, but it is more likely to rain during these times. During any of the summer months, the heat can be unbearable. With the humidity reaching incredible heights, you could find yourself in the shade, and still sweating from the heat. Winter takes place from November to mid-March, and can be extremely cold, experiencing extreme showers along the coastline, and also frost in the Highlands.

Best time to travel Jordan

In this area the weather conditions can vary drastically from the North to the South. During the spring months of March through May, you’ll find that it is lush with greenery, and also the peak season for western visitors. With summer, there is a constant hot and dry climate, but it is still a very pleasant time of the year to see this area. The winter months last from December through March and can be very cold and windy, especially in the desert valleys. In other places like Aqaba and the Jordan Valley, the winter months are still anywhere from 16-22*C (61-71*F), and can be ideal places to tour during the winter months.

Best time to travel to Lebanon

Despite the fact that this is a very small country, it is home to numerous types of different weather because of its disparity in countryside. Overall, Lebanon is warm during the summer months and incredibly cold during the winter. For a tourist it is best to experience the weather either in the fall, or in the spring. Skiing is a large attraction here, and there are numerous regions in the mountainside where tourists come to visit during the winter for a ski vacation.

Best time to visit Saudi Arabia

The Kingdoms Islamic holidays should be a significant factor in deciding when to visit this spot of the world. Getting a meal during their holiday can be a little tough, due to most businesses have very short hours, and the officials can be discourteous to tourists. The weather is perfect between November and February, when their summer heat wave is over. You can find very mild weather all year round in spots like Taif, making this a popular destination.

Best time to visit UAE

The rainfall in this area is very few and far between. During the months between May and October, it’s nearly non-existent, and in the other months, very rare. From the months of May to September, the humidity is generally extremely high, with daytime temperatures reaching 40*C (105*F) in areas like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Eastern coastal cities of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan the climate can be less harsh, since they have an occasional gentle wind. During the rest of the year, the temperatures can be much more tolerable at 22-30*C, (70-85*F).

Best time to travel Egypt

In the well known city of Cairo, the mixture of heat, dust, pollution and noise can make walking the city streets a genuine test of stamina. This sweltering sun may be exactly what you are looking for, and anywhere south of Cairo from June to August you can find that the temperatures reach 40*C, (104*F). This is a beautiful spot to vacation to the beaches of Southern Sinai, the Alexandrian coast, or the Red Sea. However if this is your destination during these months, keep in mind to book ahead, for these are the most crowded times of the year.
If you are looking to visit Luxor, the winter is by far the most comfortable time of the year. In the wintertime Cairo isn’t quite as nice since it can be a host of cloudy skies and cold evenings. Since Alexandria is located on the Mediterranean coast, they have regular rainstorms that can result in flooded and muddy streets. During January, even Sinai’s shores can be too chilling for trying to lie out and sunbathe. March through May, or September through November is the best opportunity you’ll have to enjoy these warm days without an overwhelming amount of tourists

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