Severe Weather Warning Issued Across Saudi Arabia as Thunderstorms and Flash Floods Loom Through Tuesday

Thunderstorms, potential heavy rainfall, and flash flooding are anticipated across a large portion of Saudi Arabia through Tuesday, prompting civil defense authorities to issue advisories urging residents to remain cautious and avoid valleys and flood-prone areas.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense specifically called upon the public to stay in secure locations, steer clear of areas with standing water, and refrain from navigating wadis or other flooded zones. Authorities also emphasized the necessity of adhering to official safety guidelines disseminated via various media outlets and social media platforms.

This advisory, transmitted by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on November 5, was derived from forecasts issued by the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), which predicted widespread thunderstorm activity across much of the Kingdom from Friday through Tuesday.

The Makkah Region is projected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, which could readily trigger flash flooding, hail, and powerful downdraft winds capable of dislodging dust and sand.

Similar conditions are slated for the Riyadh Region, particularly in locales such as Afif, Al-Dawadmi, Shaqra, Thadiq, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Al-Majma’ah, Rumah, and Marat.

Riyadh city, along with Al-Quwayiyah, Al-Rayn, Dhurma, Al-Hariq, and Al-Kharj, are expected to see lighter to moderate rainfall.

The NCM also predicted moderate to heavy rain across Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Madinah, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf, Northern Borders, and Eastern regions, with the likelihood of flash flooding, hail, and dust-inducing downdrafts.

Friday Forecast and Regional Conditions

The NCM’s forecast for Friday indicated that thunderstorms accompanied by hail and dust-stirring winds were anticipated in parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Al-Jouf, and Northern Borders regions.

Conditions similar to this were forecast for parts of Tabuk and the northern areas of the Eastern Province, while fog formation was also possible within the affected regions.

These latest predictions follow several days of intermittent rainfall across different sections of the Kingdom.

Al-Baha Region experienced light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms on Thursday, with water flowing through valleys and streams in multiple governorates and adjacent areas, according to an SPA report.

Rafha Governorate in the Northern Borders region also saw moderate rainfall accompanied by hail on Wednesday, while light precipitation fell in parts of AlUla Governorate and its associated centers within the Madinah Region on Tuesday.

November Among the Kingdom’s Wettest Months

The current meteorological outlook aligns with a period when precipitation generally increases across various parts of Saudi Arabia.

November falls squarely within the Kingdom’s wetter final quarter of the year, during which seasonal weather systems can bring forth thunderstorms, heavy downpours, and localized flooding, especially across the southwestern highlands and western regions.

The NCM’s October-December 2026 climate outlook suggested that October rainfall was likely to exceed seasonal averages in most regions, including Asir, while temperatures were expected to remain higher than normal.

Previous meteorological advisories have similarly highlighted the potential for intense thunderstorms, flash floods, hail, and robust winds during this period, particularly in Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah.

While the incoming rainfall replenishes vital water resources and benefits vegetation and agriculture in numerous areas, intense downpours can induce dangerous runoff through valleys and low-lying zones, particularly where watercourses are typically dry.

Civil Defense has repeatedly cautioned residents and visitors against entering wadis during rainfall or attempting to cross flooded roads, as rapidly rising water levels and strong currents pose serious risks even if the rainfall is occurring some distance away.

Authorities urge the public to consistently monitor official weather updates and comply with safety instructions as the present unsettled weather pattern persists across the Kingdom.

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