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The National Center for Meteorology issued its daily weather outlook on August 8 projecting moderate to heavy thunderstorms accompanied by hail and active winds over parts of the Jazan and Asir regions the following day. Lighter to moderate rainfall was expected on the highlands of Al-Baha and Makkah while the formation of thunderstorms could not be ruled out in southern sections of the Eastern Province along with parts of Najran and the Madinah heights. The center explicitly warned residents to steer clear of locations where rainwater might accumulate during these events.
NCM data placed maximum temperatures in the very hot range across much of the country with a forecast high of 47 degrees Celsius in Buraidah. Readings of 46 degrees Celsius were anticipated in both Riyadh and Dammam while Madinah could reach 43 degrees and Makkah 42 degrees according to the center’s projections. These extremes were expected to compound the discomfort and hazards associated with the unsettled weather patterns.
Active winds stirring up dust and sand were also part of the NCM forecast affecting sections of Makkah and Madinah with the effects extending into the Hail region and reducing visibility at times. Such conditions frequently accompany the thunderstorm activity in the southwest and can lead to sudden reductions in air quality across those provinces. The center’s report underscored the potential for these winds to reach speeds capable of generating blowing dust.
Flash floods remain a recurring threat in Saudi Arabia’s arid environment where intense rainfall can overwhelm dry riverbeds and urban drainage systems within minutes. A World Bank assessment of hydrometeorological hazards across the Middle East and North Africa noted that heavy rainfall events in the Arabian Peninsula have historically triggered flash floods with significant impacts on infrastructure and communities. The National Center for Meteorology has prioritized improved forecasting tools since its creation in 2019 under the Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture to mitigate exactly these dangers.
Recent comparable warnings from the center have highlighted similar patterns of concentrated rainfall in the southwest during the summer months when atmospheric instability peaks. In its latest bulletin the NCM reiterated the possibility of hail accompanying the stronger thunderstorm cells which can damage property and pose risks to livestock in exposed areas. Officials at the center continue to monitor developments closely to update forecasts as new data emerges.
Public awareness campaigns tied to these NCM alerts typically emphasize preparation measures such as securing loose objects and monitoring official channels for updates on road conditions. The combination of extreme heat and stormy weather increases the strain on energy demand and public health resources across the affected provinces. Data from the center show that such mixed weather regimes have become more frequent in recent years requiring coordinated responses from local authorities.
