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The National Center for Meteorology placed red alerts for heavy rain over Maysan in the Makkah region along with Al-Majaridah, Rijal Almaa and adjacent zones in Asir, according to its automated early warning platform. Orange alerts signaled moderate rain in Abu Arish and Ahad Al-Masarih governorates of Jazan plus fog risks around Abha in Asir. Yellow alerts for lighter precipitation covered Al-Darb in Jazan, Al-Birk in Asir and sections of the Holy Capital in Makkah, with the center forecasting moderate to heavy thunderstorms that could produce hail, gusty winds and flash flooding across Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah and Madinah.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense has directed residents in affected areas to remain in safe locations, steer clear of valleys, dams and water-collection sites and avoid swimming or picnicking near flood channels. Officials reiterated that the public should monitor updates through official media channels and social platforms while calling emergency numbers in case of need. These safety instructions, first highlighted in mid-August, have remained in force as weather systems continue to bring rain to southwestern provinces.
NCM bulletins released on August 26 detailed expected rainfall intensities alongside temperature ranges, such as highs near 42 degrees Celsius in Makkah and lower readings in elevated Asir areas where humidity levels could exacerbate discomfort. The forecasts also noted active winds stirring dust in several regions, compounding visibility reductions during storm passages. Such comprehensive daily outlooks form part of the center’s broader mandate to track evolving conditions across the kingdom.
The warnings arrive against a backdrop of persistent thunderstorm activity that the National Center for Meteorology has tracked since mid-August, when similar alerts prompted Civil Defense advisories for Makkah, Riyadh, Jazan, Asir and neighboring provinces. A nationwide flash flood early warning system developed with NCM involvement operates over 137 hydrological domains and delivers high-resolution inundation maps, a 2026 European Geosciences Union abstract by center-affiliated researchers showed. That framework provided actionable lead times during heavy rainfall episodes in December 2025.
Researchers from the National Center for Meteorology and partner institutions noted that the system’s 30-meter baseline simulations, refined to 2.5 meters in urban zones, help emergency managers assess infrastructure risks in arid environments prone to rapid runoff. The tool integrates atmospheric, hydrological and hydraulic modeling to support decisions at national and local levels. Continued public adherence to the issued alerts will prove vital as authorities work to limit exposure during this active weather period.
