Saudi Arabia forecasts heavy rain, hail and strong winds across several regions

The Saudi National Center for Meteorology issued a forecast for Saturday predicting thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rain and hail in parts of Jazan and Asir. Active winds are expected to accompany the showers, while lighter to moderate rain is forecast for the highlands of Al‑Baha and Mecca. Temperatures will remain hot to very hot in the Eastern Province and Riyadh, with a chance of further thunderstorm development in the southern sections of those regions and in Najran.

Dust‑raising winds are likely to affect Mecca, Medina and extend toward Ha'il. Over the Red Sea, surface winds are expected to blow from the northwest‑west at 15‑40 km/h, potentially exceeding 50 km/h when thunderstorms develop, producing waves up to 2.5 m and choppy conditions. Similar wind patterns are forecast for the Arabian Gulf, with speeds of 10‑32 km/h, also possibly surpassing 50 km/h, and wave heights reaching over two metres.