Makkah Tops Global Heat Rankings, Named World’s Hottest City Over Past 26 Years
Makkah has been ranked as the world’s hottest city over the last 26 years, according to a historical climate report compiled by international weather monitoring agencies.
Data released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that Makkah recorded the highest average temperatures globally for most years between 2000 and 2026.
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The report reveals that Makkah held the title of the world’s hottest city continuously from 2000 to 2009 before Kuwait City briefly overtook it in 2010. Makkah then regained the top position from 2011 to 2015.
Kuwait City again recorded higher temperatures in 2016, but Makkah returned to the top of the rankings in 2017 and has maintained its position every year since, including in 2026.
According to meteorologists, Makkah’s extreme heat is largely influenced by its geographical location. The city is surrounded by arid mountain ranges and is frequently exposed to hot, dry winds originating from the Red Sea region, contributing to consistently high temperatures throughout the year.
Despite the challenging climate conditions, the report highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to manage heat during the annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Advanced cooling systems, extensive misting networks, shaded walkways and other environmental management measures have helped protect millions of pilgrims from extreme temperatures.
The report noted that Saudi Arabia’s heat mitigation strategies during large-scale religious gatherings are increasingly being viewed as a model for managing crowds in hot-weather environments around the world.
Makkah remains one of the most significant religious destinations globally, welcoming millions of visitors each year while continuing to face some of the highest temperatures recorded in any major city.
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