Riyadh sits at 600 metres above sea level on a high plateau, which moderates the extreme temperatures somewhat but does not eliminate them. The most comfortable visiting months are October through April, when daytime temperatures are typically 15–25°C, evenings are cool, and outdoor activity is feasible.
January and February are the coolest months, with overnight temperatures occasionally dropping to 5°C or below and some rainy days — the desert plateau receives occasional winter rain. March and April offer warm days and pleasant evenings and are perhaps the best time overall.
Summer (June–September) is harsh: temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, humidity is low but air conditioning is universal, and outdoor sightseeing before 8pm is uncomfortable. Most outdoor attractions are best experienced at night during summer, when Riyadh's well-developed evening culture comes into its own.
Ramadan transforms the city's rhythm: restaurants are closed during daylight hours, but from sunset until early morning the city comes alive with Iftar celebrations, food markets, and social gatherings that show a side of Riyadh not visible at other times.