Eastern Region Heatwave Pushes Temps Near 48-50°C

Residents across Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region are enduring an intense heatwave in mid-August 2026, with daytime temperatures widely observed in the 47–50°C range. Dammam has repeatedly reached highs of 48–49°C, while official regional forecasts describe conditions as "hot to extremely hot" and continuing over the coming days.

The affected areas span much of the province, including Dammam, Dhahran, Al-Khobar, Jubail, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Hafar Al-Batin, Khafji, Al-Nairyah and Al-Ahsa, along with surrounding centres. Heatwave alerts note peaks of 49–50°C in some locations, accompanied by dust-raising winds that can reduce visibility.

A regional forecast for the Eastern Region on 25 August 2026 showed a maximum of 48°C, light to moderate winds and no rainfall. Typical daily readings in Dammam have hovered around a minimum of 31°C and a maximum near 48°C, underlining how persistent the daytime heat has been.

Coastal areas face an added challenge: high humidity that makes the heat feel even more oppressive. Forecasts point to fog forming along the Eastern Province coast at night and early morning, a sign of the elevated moisture in the air. Short-term advisories have flagged severe heat lasting across specific windows, such as from Sunday to Wednesday or until 5:00 PM on the day of the alert.

Why it matters

With temperatures near the top of the seasonal range, residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and take extra care of children, the elderly and those working outdoors. Reduced visibility from dust can also affect driving conditions. These are public weather advisories only — no fees, apps or special procedures are attached to them.

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