Thunderstorms, Flash Floods & Hail Hit Six Saudi Regions

Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology has forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al Baha, Makkah and Madinah on September 16th, 2026, with a chance of rain-bearing thunderclouds in Najran.

The storms may produce flash floods and be accompanied by hail showers, according to the centre.

Dust- and sand-raising surface winds are also expected across parts of those regions, as well as over northern areas of the Eastern Province and parts of Tabuk, Riyadh and Al Qassim.

Fog may form during the night and early morning along some coastal areas of the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea.

Over the Red Sea, winds are expected to range from 10 to 35 km/h under normal conditions and may exceed 50 km/h when thunderclouds develop. Wave heights are forecast between half a metre and 1.5 metres, rising above two metres during thunderstorms, with sea conditions becoming rough under storm clouds.

In the Arabian Gulf, winds are expected between 10 and 30 km/h, with waves ranging from half a metre to 1.5 metres and sea conditions remaining slight to moderate.