National Center for Meteorology (NCM) Weather Stations and Monthly Climate Records of Saudi Arabia (1968–2016)

This dataset contains monthly climate observations collected from weather stations operated by the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) across Saudi Arabia. The records span the period from 1968 to 2016 and represent nearly five decades of systematic national climate monitoring. The dataset covers 61 weather stations distributed across the administrative regions of the Kingdom. Each station provides long-term monthly records for key climate variables, including air temperature (maximum and minimum), rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, sunshine duration, evaporation, and soil temperature at multiple depths. The dataset supports climate trend analysis, drought monitoring, land degradation assessment, agricultural and environmental research, and validation of satellite-derived climate products such as CHIRPS and NDVI-based indices. A national map showing the spatial distribution of the NCM weather stations accompanies the dataset. Each mapped station corresponds directly to the monthly time-series records provided in the associated Excel and CSV files. The dataset is suitable for historical climate analysis and research applications. It is not intended for real-time weather forecasting or sub-daily extreme event analysis.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Author NCVC and FAO
Maintainer NCVC and FAO
Last Updated September 17, 2026, 07:07 (UTC)
Created March 9, 2025, 13:26 (UTC)
Data_Source National Center for Meteorology (NCM), Saudi Arabia
Elevation Station elevation (meters above sea level)
Governorate Local administrative area
Latitude Latitude in decimal degrees (WGS84)
Longitude Longitude in decimal degrees (WGS84)
Month Month of observation
Parameter Climatic variable (e.g., Rainfall, Air Temperature Max, Min, Mean, Relative Humidity, Wind)
QA_Status Verified by FAO–NCVC and NCM
Region Administrative region of Saudi Arabia
Remarks Notes or NULL where no observation was recorded
Station_Name Name of the weather station
Station_Number Official NCM station code
Update_Frequency Annual
Value Observed monthly value
Year Year of observation