wadi rum weather
Temperature wadi rum
sunshine and daylight in wadi rum
rainfall in wadi rum
best time to visit wadi rum
The best time to visit Wadi Rum is from March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn). Because of the pleasant temperatures, it’s the perfect time for hiking and climbing. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to visit Wadi Rum, so expect to see many tourists at the popular sites. In March and November the nights can still be pretty cold with a minimum temperature of 5 °C (41 °F), but in the other months night temperatures rise up to 13 °C (55 °F). During the day, temperatures range from 19 °C (66°F) in March and November to 32 °C (89 °F) in the other months.
Summer in Wadi Rum is low season. The camps are more quiet, so it’s a great time for relaxing and enjoying the amazing mountain views that surrounds the camp. Summers in the desert can be intensely hot with temperatures up to 37 °C (98 °F) and extreme UV intensity. Therefor most activities will take place before 12 pm or after 3 pm. Protect yourself from the sun, drink enough water and seek shade to lower the risk of heatwaves and dehydration.
Winter in Wadi Rum is low season with few tourists. With an average temperature of 15 °C (59 °F) during the day, it’s the perfect time for tours, hiking and trekking. The nights and mornings are pretty cold and temperatures can even drop to 0 °C (32 °F). The main tent has a fire, but the private tents are not heated, so prepare yourself for some cold desert nights. Most rain falls during winter, but rain showers are usually short so activities can continue as normal.
Keep in mind that the climate and temperatures in the desert are different from the other areas in Jordan. The desert is a dry area, so the sun might feel cooler and more pleasant than in other areas. In the winter however, the desert temperatures are much lower than the surrounding areas like Aqaba.
wadi rum climate
Winter in wadi rum
Winter starts in December and ends in February. 70% of the rainfall falls during winter, Wadi Rum experiences about 12 days of rain in the winter. Rain showers are usually short and activities can continue as normal, as long as it’s safe to drive. January is the coolest month. During winter the nighttime temperature can drop down to zero degrees. In the mountains and even in the desert, there is a chance of snow. When the sun rises and the day progresses, snow will quickly disappear. During the day the maximum temperature can reach 15 °C (59 °F). December has an average of 7 hours of sunshine per day and January and February have an average of 8 hours. In December and January the UV intensity is moderate, wear covering clothes and seek shade between 12 pm and 3 pm when the sun is strongest. In the winter it doesn’t feel hot, but in February the UV intensity is high. Sun protection like SPF and a hat is advised.
spring in wadi rum
Spring starts in March and ends in May. Desert flowers start to bloom and the valleys are turning greener. With a minimum temperature of 5 °C (41 °F) in March to 13 °C (55 °F) in May, the nights can be pretty cold in the beginning of spring. Make sure to bring layers of clothes to keep you warm. During the day temperatures range from 19 °C (66°F) in March to 28 °C (82 °F) in May. As the temperatures rise, the chance of rain is getting smaller, with an average of 2 days of rain per month in April and May. March and April have 9 hours of sunshine per day. In May, the days with sun get longer, and the UV gets more intense. Be sure to take precautions and avoid being in the sun from 12 pm – 3 pm. Try to plan your activities in in the early morning or after 3 pm. In March and April it doesn’t feel hot, but in May you might feel slight discomfort from heat and humidity. There’s a risk of sandstorms, so wear covering clothes and bring a scarf to protect you from the blowing dust.
summer in wadi rum
Summer starts in June and ends in August. With temperatures between 12 °C (53 °F) and 37 °C (98 °F) summers can be intensely hot. The UV intensity is extreme, so avoid being in the sun from 12 pm to 3 pm. You could experience heatwaves and the risk of dehydration is pretty high. However, because it’s a dry heat, in Wadi Rum these temperatures are easier to tolerate than in other regions. The hot summer months can bring hot, dry and dusty winds. The increased heat and humidity could give a high sense of discomfort. The tour guides in Wadi Rum are experienced, so listen to their advice about what to wear and when to go out. Bring covering clothes and a scarf to protect you from the blowing dust. The nights are pleasant and perfect for experiencing sleeping under the stars. During summer there’s no rainfall.
autumn in wadi rum
Autumn starts in September and ends in November. You will see migrating birds and clear skies, perfect for stargazing. Evenings, nights and mornings are getting a lot cooler, with an average minimum temperature of 9 °C (48 °F). September can reach a maximum temperature of 32 °C (89 °F), but at the end of Autumn the temperature in November drops to a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F). In October and November there’s an average of 2 days of rain per month. September has 11 hours of sunshine per day and the UV intensity is still very high, don’t stay out in the sun for too long. You will feel the heat and humidity that can give you some discomfort. October has 10 hours of sunshine per day, UV intensity is high and sun protection like SPF and a hat is advised. Heat and humidity in October is low and might cause just slight discomfort. In November there’s 8 hours of sunshine per day and the UV intensity is moderate. It doesn’t feel too hot, but covering up is advised. Seek shade between 12 pm and 3 pm when the sun is strongest.
sandstorms
Wadi Rum is a dry and sandy area where sandstorms easily arise. Heavy winds, also called “Khamsin” or “Simoon” in Arabic happen frequently in spring and autumn. It is a hot, dry and sandy local wind, but when it picks up enough dust and sand it can turn into a sandstorm. It carries a lot of sand and dust from the desert, causing visibility to become very poor. The fine blowing dust can even cause damage. When it passes over an area it can last several hours and can speed up to 140 kilometers per hour. Wind is the sculptor of a the sand dunes. Wind can build dunes that rise as high as 180 meters (590 feet). Dunes migrate constantly with the wind and can shift a few meters per year. Bedouins protect themselves with traditional head covers like a shemagh or keffiyeh. Tourists can also protect themselves with this headscarf, sold in many places in Jordan. We advise to also wear covering clothes to protect themselves from dusty winds and sandstorms.
