Saudi Arabia Faces Widespread Thunderstorms and Wadi Flooding Risk October 22-26 2026
What happened
The National Center for Meteorology recorded moderate to heavy thunderstorms, hail, and wadi flooding across six key Saudi regions between October 22 and October 26, 2026.
The Context
* Geographic reach: Rainfall concentrated across Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Hail, before stretching into transit hubs in Makkah and Madinah. * Seasonal alignment: The unstable weather system matched the meteorological authority's autumn climate outlook projecting above-average precipitation from September through November. * Public response: Officials triggered red and orange weather alerts across mountainous and low-lying zones to restrict travel near flood-prone wadis.
The Number
—Al-Baha, Makkah, Asir, and Jazan faced top-tier warnings for flash floods and high winds, signaling localized ground transport interruptions without broader GCC cross-border fallout.
Takeaway
Expect regional supply chains and overland transit across western Saudi corridors to navigate recurring disruptions as above-average seasonal rains persist through November.
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
الحالة تبدأ ظهراً.. أمطار رعدية وتدنٍ في الرؤية بالمدينة المنورة
The National Center for Meteorology warned of a moderately impacting weather system affecting the Madinah region today, bringing moderate rainfall with strong winds, reduced and near-zero horizontal visibility, hail, flash floods and lightning. The s...
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
حتى التاسعة مساءً.. أمطار غزيرة وسيول متوقعة بالباحة
The National Center for Meteorology warned of a significant weather system affecting the Al-Baha region, with heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, reduced or nil horizontal visibility, flash floods, hail, and lightning. The alert covers Al-Baha ci...
English-language reporting on Saudi politics, policy, and society.
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Red and orange alerts issued for heavy rain, thunderstorms across Saudi regions
Red and orange weather alerts were issued on Sunday across parts of Al-Baha, Madinah and Makkah as the National Center for Meteorology forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms capable of causing flash floods, along with hail and dust-raising winds ac...
English-language reporting focused on Saudi Arabia and regional affairs.
"Saudi Gazette provides English-language coverage that often aligns with mainstream Saudi news priorities."
— A47 Editor
Red and orange alerts issued for heavy rain, thunderstorms across Saudi regions
Red and orange weather alerts were issued on Sunday across parts of Al-Baha, Madinah and Makkah as the National Center for Meteorology forecast moderate to heavy thunderstorms capable of causing flash floods, along with hail and dust-raising winds ac...
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
«الأرصاد»: أمطار رعدية غزيرة وسيول متوقعة في 10 مناطق بالمملكة
The National Center for Meteorology forecast on Sunday the continuation of moderate to heavy thunderstorms over parts of 10 regions of the Kingdom, including Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Al-Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders...
Arabic-language reporting focused on Saudi domestic affairs and current events.
"Al Watan is a mainstream Saudi newspaper with strong domestic coverage and a broad general-news profile."
— A47 Editor
أمطار رعدية متوسطة إلى غزيرة على مناطق واسعة من المملكة
Rain of moderate to heavy intensity fell Saturday evening on several regions of the Kingdom, including Jazan, Abha, Al Baha and Hail, causing wadis and valleys to flow, while hail fell on the peaks of the Abha and Al Baha mountains. The National Cent...
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
«الأرصاد»: أمطار رعدية غزيرة وسيول متوقعة على 10 مناطق في المملكة
The National Center of Meteorology has forecasted continued chances of moderate to heavy thunderstorms across ten regions in the Kingdom on Saturday, which may lead to flash floods and be accompanied by hail showers and active winds causing dust and ...
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
أمطار رعدية غزيرة وسيول على عدة مناطق بالسعودية
The National Center of Meteorology in Saudi Arabia has forecasted medium to heavy thunderstorms leading to flash floods in several regions, including Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Mecca, with potential impacts extending to parts of Medina, Hail, Tabuk, A...