Saudi Meteorology Center Issues Dust Alert for Riyadh Amid Widespread Thunderstorms

• Thunderstorms expected across southern and western regions as autumn rains intensify
• NCM forecasts wetter-than-average season with October peaking as wettest month

Updated 4 minutes 49 seconds ago

October 2, 2026 07:16

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has issued warnings for blowing dust, strong winds, and reduced visibility across parts of the Riyadh region, while forecasting continued thunderstorms and rainfall throughout the Kingdom.

The advisories were disseminated by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Friday.

The NCM indicated that dust-laden winds would affect several governorates in the Riyadh region from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., urging the public to monitor weather updates and follow safety instructions.

The warning coincides with ongoing thunderstorms across much of Saudi Arabia, with moderate to heavy rainfall projected for the Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah regions.

Light to moderate rainfall is also anticipated in parts of Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Hail, and the Northern Borders regions, according to an NCM weather bulletin.

The center cautioned that thunderstorms could produce flash floods, hail, and gusty winds in areas of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah.

Light to moderate thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds were additionally forecast for parts of Al-Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, northern Qassim, and the Eastern Province.

Rainfall has already impacted several northern areas. Light rain fell Thursday evening in Sakaka, its suburbs, and several administrative centers in the Al-Jouf region, while moderate rain was recorded Wednesday night in Al-Qurayyat governorate.

In Turaif governorate in the Northern Borders region, recent rainfall revitalized valleys and ravines, with flowing water restoring vegetation and enhancing natural landscapes, SPA reported.

The latest warnings come amid a wetter-than-average autumn forecast by the NCM, which projects October as the peak of the Kingdom’s rainy season.

The center’s September-November climate outlook anticipates above-average rainfall across much of Saudi Arabia during autumn, with October expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall that could reach torrential levels in some areas.

Above-average rainfall is forecast for October across regions including Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Hail, Qassim, and the Northern Borders, as well as parts of Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Najran.

The wetter pattern is expected to persist into November in several regions, including Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Al-Jouf, Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.

The NCM stated the likelihood of above-average rainfall in forecast areas ranges between 40 percent and 70 percent, with accumulations potentially reaching heavy to very heavy levels.

The center has advised residents and visitors to monitor short-term forecasts and official warnings, noting that localized or unusual weather events may not always be fully captured by long-range climate models.

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