Saudi Arabia Braces for Continued Thunderstorms as Autumn Rainy Season Peaks

• National Center for Meteorology warns of torrential rain, dust storms and possible fog
• Temperatures fall below 15°C in the Kingdom’s mountainous southwest

RIYADH — Heavy thunderstorms are forecast to persist across vast areas of Saudi Arabia on Sunday, bringing the threat of flash floods, hail, and powerful winds capable of whipping up dust and sand, the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) announced.

The advisory covers parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, and the Northern Borders regions, along with northern sections of the Eastern Province. The NCM, cited by the Saudi Press Agency, also noted that fog may develop in some areas.

The center’s early-warning system has issued red alerts for heavy rain in portions of Al-Baha, Makkah, Asir, and Jazan, while orange alerts are in effect for several other regions, according to official NCM bulletins.

The latest outlook follows significant rainfall that struck parts of Al-Jouf on Friday night, saturating the ground and filling valleys and streams, SPA reported Saturday. The NCM had also warned of rain, strong winds, reduced visibility, and lightning storms in Turaif governorate in the Northern Borders region.

October Marks Peak of Rainy Season

The ongoing storms align with the NCM’s September-November climate outlook, which projected above-average autumn rainfall across much of the Kingdom. The outlook identified October as the expected peak of the rainy season, with precipitation potentially ranging from heavy to very heavy and reaching torrential levels in some areas.

November was also forecast to bring wetter-than-average conditions to several regions, extending the period of heightened rainfall risk into late autumn.

Temperatures Drop in Southwestern Highlands

Alongside the rainfall, temperatures have dipped below 15 degrees Celsius in parts of the Kingdom, particularly in the mountainous southwestern regions of Najran, Al-Baha, and Asir, as well as the southernmost areas of the Makkah region, where heavy rain has also prevailed.

The lowest temperature recorded so far was 11°C in Badr Al Janoub governorate in Najran, according to NCM data.

The combination of heavy rain, falling temperatures, and strong winds underscores the shifting conditions accompanying the autumn rainy season, especially in the Kingdom’s southwestern highlands.

The NCM has warned of the potential for flash flooding, reduced visibility, and other hazards associated with thunderstorms. Residents and motorists in affected areas should heed official weather alerts and Civil Defense instructions.

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