Weather Alerts: Heavy Rain, Dust Storms Across Regions

The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has issued a series of weather warnings covering heavy rain, thunderstorms, flash floods, hail, and dust and sand storms across several regions, urging residents to take precautions. The alerts are published through the center's early warning system and its official website, specifying the affected regions, governorates, and exact start and end times.

NCM relies on a color-coded alert system. A red alert signals heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, flash floods, strong winds, and severe dust reducing visibility, with a risk to life and property. An orange alert points to moderate-to-heavy rain, possible flash floods, and active winds raising dust and disrupting travel. A yellow alert indicates lighter rain, dust-raising winds, and minor disruptions.

In August 2026, NCM issued multiple red alerts for heavy rain and flash floods over parts of the Makkah Region — including Taif, Al-Kamil, Adham, Maysan, Rabigh, Jeddah, and Al-Khurmah — and parts of Asir such as Al-Majaridah and Rijal Almaa, extending to Jazan, Al-Baha, and Madinah, with thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds.

At the same time, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Najran, Qassim, Tabuk, the Northern Borders, Hail, and Al-Jawf experienced dust storms, suspended dust, and dust-raising winds that sharply cut horizontal visibility and created hazardous driving conditions. Some warnings gave precise timing, such as dust storms in Al-Lith and Bahrah from 10:00 to 19:00 on specified days.

NCM classifies heavy rain at roughly 10–50 mm with possible flash floods, hail, and downdraft winds exceeding 60 km/h. Moderate rain is around 5–9 mm while light rain ranges from 1–4 mm Residents are advised to follow official updates, avoid low-lying areas and valleys during rainfall, and drive cautiously in low visibility.

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