Hajj to Shift Into Cooler Seasons for 16 Years After 2025

Haniya Hassan

July 1, 2025

From Hajj 2025, Every Hajj to fall in winters for 16 years.

Grand Mosque in Mecca. Photo: Ramiar Dilshad

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Starting in 2026, Hajj will begin a long-awaited transition into cooler seasons, offering pilgrims significant relief from the intense summer heat.

According to the Saudi National Meteorological Center (NMC), the 2025 pilgrimage will be the final Hajj to take place during peak summer for the next 25 years.

Due to the nature of the Islamic lunar calendar, which moves back approximately 10 to 11 days each Gregorian year, Hajj will gradually shift through the seasons. From 2026 to 2033, the pilgrimage will occur in the spring, followed by eight years of winter Hajj between 2034 and 2041.

After that, the dates will begin to fall in autumn, with Hajj returning to the summer months around the year 2050.

This shift means that, for the next 16 years, pilgrims will experience cooler temperatures during the pilgrimage — a welcome change from recent years when temperatures in Mecca often reached 45–47°C.

These extreme conditions have posed significant health risks such as dehydration, heatstroke, and exhaustion.

Experts believe this transition will improve not only the physical comfort of pilgrims but also operational planning and logistics.

Cooler weather can reduce the load on cooling infrastructure and medical services, and make the Hajj experience more accessible for the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

“This marks a major shift,” said Dr. Mansour Al Mazroui, a climate researcher and member of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council. “The Hajj season rotates through all four seasons over a 33-year lunar cycle.

Now, we’re entering a phase where spring and winter dominate the pilgrimage period, easing many of the logistical and health challenges faced during the summer.”

For pilgrims preparing in the coming years, the shift means planning for different weather conditions.

While the extreme heat may no longer be a central concern, seasonal changes bring their own considerations — from rain and wind in spring to cooler nights in winter.

Saudi authorities are expected to adapt services and planning accordingly. Though no official statements have yet been released regarding future Hajj logistics, the cooler seasons are expected to support more sustainable, comfortable, and spiritually focused pilgrimages.