Saudi Arabia is no stranger to extreme weather, but the scenes emerging from Makkah and its surrounding regions this September have been nothing short of dramatic. Heavy rainfall has lashed the holy city and several other parts of the Kingdom, triggering flash floods and forcing authorities to issue urgent safety warnings. If you're tracking the situation or simply wondering what's happening, here's everything you need to know about the severe weather gripping Saudi Arabia right now.
Red Alerts Issued Across Multiple Regions
The National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) has been working around the clock, issuing red alerts for heavy rain and thunderstorms capable of causing flash floods across Makkah, Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha. These aren't your average weather warnings. Red alerts are the highest level of alert, reserved for conditions that pose a genuine risk to life and property.
Orange alerts have also been activated for moderate rain in parts of the Jazan region, including Jazan and Al-Darb, as well as for raised dust in parts of Makkah. Meanwhile, yellow alerts are in place for light rain across parts of the Eastern and Makkah regions. It's a complex, fast-moving weather system, and officials are urging everyone to stay informed.
The National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) has been working around the clock, issuing red alerts for heavy rain and thunderstorms capable of causing flash floods across Makkah, Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha. These aren't your average weather warnings. Red alerts are the highest level of alert, reserved for conditions that pose a genuine risk to life and property.
Orange alerts have also been activated for moderate rain in parts of the Jazan region, including Jazan and Al-Darb, as well as for raised dust in parts of Makkah. Meanwhile, yellow alerts are in place for light rain across parts of the Eastern and Makkah regions. It's a complex, fast-moving weather system, and officials are urging everyone to stay informed.
Torrential Rain and Fierce Winds
The numbers behind this weather event are staggering. According to forecasters, rainfall rates could exceed 50mm per hour in some areas, while wind speeds may surpass 60km/h. To put that into perspective, 50mm of rain in a single hour is the kind of downpour that can turn dry valleys into raging torrents within minutes.
Hail showers are also expected across parts of Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, as well as the highlands of the Makkah region. The combination of heavy rain, hail, and strong downdraft winds has created a perfect storm for flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and near valleys.
The numbers behind this weather event are staggering. According to forecasters, rainfall rates could exceed 50mm per hour in some areas, while wind speeds may surpass 60km/h. To put that into perspective, 50mm of rain in a single hour is the kind of downpour that can turn dry valleys into raging torrents within minutes.
Hail showers are also expected across parts of Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, as well as the highlands of the Makkah region. The combination of heavy rain, hail, and strong downdraft winds has created a perfect storm for flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and near valleys.
Which Areas Are Most at Risk?
While the entire western and southwestern regions of the Kingdom are feeling the effects, certain areas are particularly vulnerable. The NCM has specifically highlighted Taif, Maysan, Adham, and Al-Ardiyat as being at risk of flooding, hail, and dust-raising winds. Makkah, Al-Kamil, Al-Jumum, Bahrah, Al-Lith, and Al-Qunfudhah are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall.
Further south, Jazan, Aseer, and Al-Baha are forecast to receive moderate to heavy rainfall that may cause flooding and hail. The Civil Defense has also triggered early warning systems in Khamis Mushait and Abha in the Asir region, cautioning residents against severe weather conditions.
While the entire western and southwestern regions of the Kingdom are feeling the effects, certain areas are particularly vulnerable. The NCM has specifically highlighted Taif, Maysan, Adham, and Al-Ardiyat as being at risk of flooding, hail, and dust-raising winds. Makkah, Al-Kamil, Al-Jumum, Bahrah, Al-Lith, and Al-Qunfudhah are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall.
Further south, Jazan, Aseer, and Al-Baha are forecast to receive moderate to heavy rainfall that may cause flooding and hail. The Civil Defense has also triggered early warning systems in Khamis Mushait and Abha in the Asir region, cautioning residents against severe weather conditions.
Authorities Respond with Urgency
The Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defense has been proactive in its response, urging the public to exercise extreme caution. Their message is clear: stay in safe places, steer clear of valleys and areas where floodwaters collect, and under no circumstances should anyone attempt to swim in floodwaters.
Emergency authorities have also advised motorists to exercise extreme caution on regional highways and to avoid driving through low-lying areas or valley streams. The early warning systems activated in Khamis Mushait and Abha form part of proactive measures designed to elevate field readiness among emergency response teams.
Civil Defense officials have stressed the importance of relying only on verified official information sources and following instructions issued through various media outlets and social media platforms.
The Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defense has been proactive in its response, urging the public to exercise extreme caution. Their message is clear: stay in safe places, steer clear of valleys and areas where floodwaters collect, and under no circumstances should anyone attempt to swim in floodwaters.
Emergency authorities have also advised motorists to exercise extreme caution on regional highways and to avoid driving through low-lying areas or valley streams. The early warning systems activated in Khamis Mushait and Abha form part of proactive measures designed to elevate field readiness among emergency response teams.
Civil Defense officials have stressed the importance of relying only on verified official information sources and following instructions issued through various media outlets and social media platforms.
A Season of Unsettled Weather
This latest bout of severe weather didn't come out of nowhere. Back in August, the NCM forecast above-average rainfall for September across Tabuk, Madinah, and Al-Baha, along with parts of Asir, Makkah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, and the Northern Borders Region. Temperatures were also expected to be up to 2 degrees Celsius above normal across several regions, including parts of Asir, Makkah, and Al-Baha.
Southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia periodically experience heavy rainfall and weather volatility at this time of year, prompting local authorities to reinforce safety awareness on a regular basis. However, the intensity of the current system has caught many by surprise.
This latest bout of severe weather didn't come out of nowhere. Back in August, the NCM forecast above-average rainfall for September across Tabuk, Madinah, and Al-Baha, along with parts of Asir, Makkah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, and the Northern Borders Region. Temperatures were also expected to be up to 2 degrees Celsius above normal across several regions, including parts of Asir, Makkah, and Al-Baha.
Southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia periodically experience heavy rainfall and weather volatility at this time of year, prompting local authorities to reinforce safety awareness on a regular basis. However, the intensity of the current system has caught many by surprise.
What Residents and Travellers Should Do
💥If you're in an affected area, here are the key things to keep in mind
Avoid valleys and flood channels. These are the most dangerous places during flash flooding. Water can rise rapidly and without warning.
💥Stay off the roads if possible. If you must travel, avoid low-lying areas and never attempt to drive through floodwater.
💥Monitor official channels. The NCM's Early Warning page, the Anwaa app, and official social media accounts are your best sources for real-time updates.
💥Keep away from standing water. Not only is it a drowning hazard, but it can also conceal debris or damaged infrastructure.
💥Follow Civil Defense instructions. If authorities tell you to evacuate or stay put, do so without hesitation.
Avoid valleys and flood channels. These are the most dangerous places during flash flooding. Water can rise rapidly and without warning.
💥Stay off the roads if possible. If you must travel, avoid low-lying areas and never attempt to drive through floodwater.
💥Monitor official channels. The NCM's Early Warning page, the Anwaa app, and official social media accounts are your best sources for real-time updates.
💥Keep away from standing water. Not only is it a drowning hazard, but it can also conceal debris or damaged infrastructure.
💥Follow Civil Defense instructions. If authorities tell you to evacuate or stay put, do so without hesitation.
Looking Ahead
The weather system is expected to remain active through the coming days, with thunderstorms forecast across parts of Saudi Arabia through Monday. While the rain will eventually ease, the risk of flash flooding can persist even after the heaviest downpours have passed, as water continues to flow through valleys and low-lying areas.
For now, the message from authorities is simple: take this seriously, stay safe, and look out for one another. Saudi Arabia has weathered many storms before, and with the right precautions, communities can ride this one out too.
The weather system is expected to remain active through the coming days, with thunderstorms forecast across parts of Saudi Arabia through Monday. While the rain will eventually ease, the risk of flash flooding can persist even after the heaviest downpours have passed, as water continues to flow through valleys and low-lying areas.
For now, the message from authorities is simple: take this seriously, stay safe, and look out for one another. Saudi Arabia has weathered many storms before, and with the right precautions, communities can ride this one out too.
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