Dust, Strong Winds Forecast for Riyadh on Friday

Residents across parts of Riyadh Region should prepare for dusty, windy conditions on Friday 21 August 2026, when raised dust and sand are forecast to sweep the area from 09:00 to 19:00. Strong winds of about 50 to 59 km/h are expected to cut horizontal visibility to around 1 to 3 kilometres during the day.

The advisory is part of a color-coded early warning system for the region that ranges from yellow to orange to red. Each alert specifies the affected governorates, the expected wind speeds, the visibility range, and the exact start and end times so residents can plan around the worst hours.

Earlier alerts this year have covered several governorates, including Al Kharj, Ad Dilam, Rumah, Az Zulfi, Al Ghat, Al Majmaah, Shaqra, and Riyadh city. Yellow alerts have flagged raised dust and active winds of roughly 40 to 49 km/h with visibility of 3 to 5 km, while orange alerts have signalled stronger dust storms cutting visibility to 1 to 3 km through the afternoon.

What residents should do

During peak hours, residents are advised to limit time outdoors, avoid travel on open highways and desert roads where visibility drops sharply, and secure loose items and structures exposed to the wind. Following the official meteorological channels for real-time updates is the safest way to track the alert level and its timing.

The alerts and safety guidance are provided free of charge through official meteorological platforms. There are no citizen fees tied to receiving or complying with these advisories, and they are not processed as paid transactions through any e-government service platform.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving