RIYADH: It was a cloudy but pleasant Wednesday for Riyadh residents compared to the cold spell last weekend that included sub-zero temperatures.

On Saturday, people were forced to remain indoors for a major part of the day despite the week off, when they prefer to go out with the family.

A thick blanket of clouds enveloped the city skyline during the morning hours on Wednesday accompanied by light drizzle, followed by sunny weather during the later part of the day.

The minimum temperature went up 6°C recorded on Wednesday which is further expected to go up by 7°C on Friday. It is expected to jump up to 12°C degrees on Saturday, according to the weather forecast by the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME).

The maximum temperature in the city was recorded 21°C on Wednesday and is further expected to go up to 27°C on Saturday.

This gives signs of a retreating winter in the capital, heralding thereby the onset of warmer weather in days to come.

The PME forecasts a clear sky this weekend and partly cloudy skies on Sunday.

City dwellers appeared happy with the change in weather, enjoying the warmth after more than a week-long cold spell. The residents are planning to go out this weekend with many sharing their ideas to go to the valleys, including their favorite destinations of Wadi Namar, Wadi Laban and Wadi Haifa, which are popular picnic spots where locals throng to enjoy time with family.