The climate of Shibam
Located in
Yemen,
Shibam experiences a subtropical desert climate, prominently classified as BWh under the Köppen climate classification. This means the city is subjected to extremely hot weather conditions, with minimal rainfall throughout the year. Variations in weather parameters are a common occurrence, offering a unique pattern that characterizes Shibam's climate.
The city tends to reel between high temperatures of 25.1°C (77.2°F) to 35.7°C (96.3°F) and low temperatures ranging from 17.4°C (63.3°F) to 28.4°C (83.1°F). The warmest months are
June and
July with the mercury soaring up to 35.7°C (96.3°F) and 35.3°C (95.5°F) respectively, while the coldest month is
January with temperatures dropping to 17.4°C (63.3°F). Owing to the desert climate, the humidity is relatively low all year round, floating between 50% to 63%.
Rainfall in Shibam is sparse throughout the year, the monthly average meanders between 1mm (0.04") to 13mm (0.51").
December sees the highest levels of precipitation with 13mm (0.51") of rainfall on average. Days with rainfall range from 1 to 5.6 days per month, with July observing maximum days of rainfall. The level of rainfall in Shibam is representative of the desert climate that predominates in this region.
The best time to visit Shibam
With its subtropical desert climate, the most suitable period to visit
Shibam is during the cooler months from
November to
March. The temperatures during these months offer a refreshing break from the intense heat witnessed in the remaining part of the year. A steady flow of cool wind, temperatures fluctuating between 25.1°C (77.2°F) and 28.3°C (82.9°F), and an average daylight span from 11.3 hours to 12.1 hours, mark these months as ideal for exploration and sight-seeing.
The worst time to visit Shibam
Considering the extreme temperatures and the scorching heat, the months of
June,
July, and
August are often marked as the least favorable time to visit
Shibam. The temperatures can soar up to an excruciating 35.7°C (96.3°F), and the level of humidity stays fairly low, making the heat seem even more intense. Despite the longer daylight hours, ranging from 13 hours to 13.1 hours, outdoor activities are usually restricted due to the searing environment.
Spring weather in Shibam
The spring season in
Shibam, spanning from
March to
May, witnesses a steady rise in temperatures. March begins with a high temperature of 28.2°C (82.8°F), progressing to a heat-soaked 32.6°C (90.7°F) in May. The nights remain warm, with low temperatures from 19.9°C (67.8°F) to 25.5°C (77.9°F). The months see an inconspicuous amount of rainfall, averaging between 3mm (0.12") to 7mm (0.28"), spreading across 3.3 to 3.8 days.
Summer weather in Shibam
The summer in
Shibam, enduring from
June to
August, is notably hot with temperatures peaking at 35.7°C (96.3°F) in June and slightly receding to 34.6°C (94.3°F) in August. The minimal relief in the form of 6mm (0.24") to 11mm (0.43") rainfall does little to alleviate the blazing heat. The nights, too, remain warm with temperatures soaring from 28.1°C (82.6°F) to 28.4°C (83.1°F), providing little respite.
Autumn weather in Shibam
Autumn in
Shibam, ranging from
September to
November, presents a mild decline in temperatures. Average highs range from 32.6°C (90.7°F) in September to 28.3°C (82.9°F) in November while average lows dip from 26.3°C (79.3°F) to 21.1°C (70°F). Precipitation is slightly higher with 4mm (0.16") to 13mm (0.51") of rain spread over 2.3 to 4.2 days.
Winter weather in Shibam
Winter, stretching from
December to
February, brings some relief in
Shibam as the temperatures recede. Daytime temperatures hover between 25.1°C (77.2°F) to 26.5°C (79.7°F) while night temperatures drop from 17.4°C (63.3°F) to 19.2°C (66.6°F). Despite being the wettest month of the year, December only sees an average rainfall of 13mm (0.51"), spread over 1.6 days.
Weather in January
January brings a relatively cooler climate to
Shibam,
Yemen, when compared to the forthcoming warmer months. Temperatures prominently fluctuate from 17.4°C (63.3°F) overnight to 25.1°C (77.2°F) during the day; this trend introduces a moderate yet pleasant contrast across the day.
Weather in January » Weather in February
As
Shibam transitions into
February, negligible changes in daily temperatures are detected. Compared to
January, the relative humidity drops slightly to 62%, introducing subtle alterations in the overall atmospheric conditions.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March signals the onset of pronounced warming, with daytime temperatures escalating to 28.2°C (82.8°F). This change over
February defines the transition of
Shibam's weather into the warmer phase of the year. Dry spells recede slightly, generating 7mm (0.28") of rainfall over approximately four days.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April showcases a more assertive summer face of
Shibam with peak day time temperatures reaching up to 30.1°C (86.2°F). Unlike
March, rainfall volume contracts to 3mm (0.12"), essentially reverting to the common arid weather trend.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May typifies the harsher summer weather in
Shibam,
Yemen, with the mercury soaring to 32.6°C (90.7°F). The weather, when juxtaposed with
April, reveals intensified aridity and higher temperatures. Moisture levels, measured as relative humidity, follow a near stasis despite the granular rise in rainfall to 5mm (0.2").
Weather in May » Weather in June
June intensifies the summer grip over
Shibam with average day temperatures peaking to an annual high of 35.7°C (96.3°F). This month essentially marks the zenith of annual temperatures and is notably hotter than its predecessor,
May.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July in
Shibam is synonymous with thermal extremities, as temperatures glide from an overnight low of 28.4°C (83.1°F) to a daytime high of 35.3°C (95.5°F). As the absolute peak of Shibam's summer, July corresponds with dwindling rainfall of 11mm (0.43") spread across approximately six days.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August witnesses a minor retreat from
July's intensity as the average maximum temperature drops to 34.6°C (94.3°F). While still positioned as one of the hottest months of the year, Augusst showcases an increased rainfall of 7mm (0.28").
Weather in August » Weather in September
September earmarks the gradual end of summer in
Shibam as temperatures soften to an average maximum of 32.6°C (90.7°F). This change, albeit marginal, introduces a most welcome respite from the persistent summer heat. Rainfall registers a noticeable decline to 4mm (0.16") and concurrently, relative humidity escalates to 62%, signaling increased atmospheric moisture.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October ushers in more relieving weather in
Shibam as the mercury slides further to a daytime high of 30.1°C (86.2°F). Compared to
September, rainfall increments to 5mm (0.2"), adding to the milder climate. Daylight hours shrink to 11.8 but the sunlight volume remains consistent at 9.9 hours.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November marks a distinct shift from the receding summer to a more temperate climate in
Shibam,
Yemen, as the temperature bracket shrinks to 21.1°C (70°F) to 28.3°C (82.9°F). A noticeable increase in rainfall to 13mm (0.51"), the maximum recorded in the year, corresponds with this cooling trend.
Weather in November » Weather in December
December, in reposnse to prevailing climatic trends, extends
November's weather characteristics into
Shibam. However, despite the comparable rainfall of 1mm (0.04"), December temperatures lean slightly cooler with average lows of 19.2°C (66.6°F).
Weather in December » [Resources]