Executive Summary for Red Alert Issued for Heavy Thunderstorms, Floods and Hail Across Saudi Arabia
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued new warnings on the weather situation across various regions of the Kingdom, with forecasts pointing to moderate-to-heavy thunderstorms accompanied by hail showers and active winds capable of raising dust over wide sectors. Parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah are expected to be affected by this rainy condition, which may lead to torrent flows in valleys and mountain passes, requiring caution and necessary precautions while driving on mountainous and coastal roads. Chances of light-to-moderate rainfall extend to parts of Najran, while regions such as the Eastern Province and Madinah are affected by active winds that raise dust and lower horizontal visibility on some highways. The capital Riyadh is registering partly cloudy conditions accompanied by dust residue and active winds, with a high of around 43°C and a low dropping to 32°C during the late-night hours.
- Date of Event: 01 September 2026
- Location: Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Najran, Eastern Province, Madinah, Tabuk, Buraydah, Hail and Sakaka, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Risk Category: Environment
- Severity Score: 3/5
- Confidence Level: 78%
What is Risk Analysis in the Context of Environment Events
Environmental risk analysis assesses the impact of warning-level thunderstorms, hail and active winds on public safety, road travel and daily activity. When the National Centre of Meteorology flags multiple regions for heavy rain and hail in the same advisory, intense showers over a short period can send torrents through valleys and wadis, disrupt visibility on highways from wind-driven dust, and require authorities and residents to weigh normal travel and business activity against unresolved weather conditions on affected routes.
Known Hotspots and Sensitive Areas
High Impact
- Jazan region, including valley and mountain-pass roads
- Asir region mountainous and coastal roads
- Al-Baha region valley and wadi areas
- Makkah region areas prone to flash flooding in valleys
Medium Impact
- Najran region, affected by light-to-moderate rainfall
- Hail and Sakaka, where thunderstorms are forecast
- Eastern Province and Madinah, affected by active winds, dust and reduced visibility
Low Impact
- Riyadh, registering partly cloudy conditions without a rain warning
- Tabuk and Buraydah, with variable cloud cover and no major precipitation forecast
Impact on Transportation and Services
Active winds are expected to raise dust and lower horizontal visibility on some highways in the Eastern Province and Madinah, while the potential for flash flooding in valleys and wadis across Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah could disrupt travel on mountainous and coastal roads. Motorists in the affected provinces are being urged to exercise added caution while driving through these areas.
Recommended Actions
- Avoid unnecessary travel through valleys and wadis in Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah during the forecast period.
- Exercise caution when driving on mountainous and coastal roads in the affected regions.
- Reduce speed and increase following distance on highways affected by dust and low visibility in the Eastern Province and Madinah.
- Monitor updates from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) for any change in warning levels.
Emergency Contacts
- Civil Defense (Saudi Arabia): 998
- National Centre of Meteorology: 920001100
Final Thoughts
The red alert covering heavy thunderstorms, floods and hail across several Saudi regions reflects the scale of the unstable weather system moving through the Kingdom, with the greatest concern centred on valley, mountain and coastal roads in Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah. Continued monitoring is advised as rainfall totals and warning levels are updated by the National Centre of Meteorology. Leveraging MitKat’s Datasurfr enables businesses to receive real-time intelligence, monitor evolving threats and make informed decisions to protect people, assets and operations.