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The National Center for Meteorology warned of heavy thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and hail that are forecast to hit much of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on Tuesday according to a dispatch from the Saudi Press Agency. The NCM assessment indicated these conditions would stir up dust reduce horizontal visibility on highways and open roads and produce thunder lightning flash floods in valleys and elevated waves along coastal stretches. The weather alert issued by the centre covers a wide area and was expected to remain in force until 9 p.m. local time.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the NCM warning specifically targets Dammam Dhahran Hafr Al-Batin Khafji Nariya Al-Ula village Jubail Ras Tanura Qatif Khobar Buqayq Al-Ahsa Al-Udayd and Dhablutain among other locations in the Eastern Province. According to the centre’s bulletin the combination of thunderstorms and reduced visibility poses risks for travel and outdoor activity across these governorates and cities. The NCM statement highlighted that sea conditions in coastal zones could see wave heights increase significantly during the peak of the storm.
A concurrent red fog alert issued by the National Center for Meteorology remained active in the Eastern Province on Tuesday the Saudi Press Agency noted in its coverage of the dual warnings. The fog is expected to cut visibility to one kilometre or less in many districts compounding hazards from the thunderstorm activity. The NCM has previously issued similar combined alerts during periods of transitional weather in the Gulf region.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense has repeatedly urged residents in areas under NCM thunderstorm watches to stay indoors avoid valleys and refrain from crossing flooded roads or swimming in swollen waterways. Civil defense data from earlier 2026 campaigns show that adherence to such guidance has limited casualties during comparable weather events that affected multiple Saudi regions including the Eastern Province. The directorate’s awareness program stresses following updates through official channels and contacting emergency services when needed.
This latest NCM forecast forms part of a pattern of active weather systems that have prompted civil defense statements across the kingdom in recent months according to Saudi Press Agency summaries. In parallel alerts the directorate has highlighted risks from lightning hail and sudden water flows in low-lying terrain while encouraging preparation of emergency kits. Regional meteorological trends tracked by the NCM indicate increasing frequency of intense rainfall episodes in the Arabian Peninsula linked to broader climate patterns.
The National Center for Meteorology continues to monitor the system and will issue updates as conditions evolve the Saudi Press Agency reported. Residents in the affected Eastern Province areas are advised to limit non-essential travel until the alerts are lifted. Separate NCM outlooks have noted that parts of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf could see elevated wave action tied to the same weather disturbance.
