Riyadh (TDI): Saudi authorities have warned residents to remain vigilant as thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected to continue through Saturday, raising the possibility of flash floods and hazardous weather conditions.
According to Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense, multiple regions, including Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, Tabuk, Qassim and the Eastern Province, are forecast to experience moderate to heavy rain, accompanied in some areas by hail and dust storms.
Officials have urged the public to stay indoors where possible and avoid flood-prone zones such as valleys and low-lying areas. The warning comes after several days of widespread rainfall across the country, with weather authorities attributing the conditions to seasonal atmospheric instability over the Arabian Peninsula.
This phenomenon, caused by the interaction of warm surface air with cooler upper-level systems, has triggered intense thunderstorms and heavy downpours across multiple regions.
Data released by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture showed that at least 63 monitoring stations recorded rainfall over the weekend in nine regions.
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The southwestern Asir region experienced the heaviest precipitation, with Abha Airport recording 52 millimeters of rain, closely followed by other localities in the province.
While the rainfall has brought cooler temperatures and transformed landscapes into greener, more scenic environments, authorities say this weather also carries risks. Flash flooding remains a primary concern, particularly in mountainous and valley areas where water can accumulate rapidly.
In Al-Baha, heavy rain and hailstorms earlier this week temporarily created winter-like scenes, with streets and highlands blanketed in ice. Northern regions such as Hail saw moderate rainfall that led to flowing streams and increased water levels in local valleys.
Authorities continue to disseminate safety guidance through media and official channels, advising residents to follow updates closely and comply with emergency instructions.
