# Saudi Arabia severe weather and heat wave

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/saudi-arabia-severe-weather-forecasts
> Updated: 2026-08-26T06:08:07.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 8.

Late July 2026 saw the Saudi National Centre for Meteorology issue a series of warnings for thunderstorms, hail, strong winds and a sweeping dust storm that cut visibility across the western corridor and southern highlands. The outlook highlighted flash‑flood risk, deteriorating sea‑state in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf and health hazards from dust‑laden air. Early August forecasts added a regional heat wave, with temperatures near 45 °C in the Eastern Province, Riyadh and Mecca, high humidity and continued dust‑raising winds. By 31 July, meteorological reports indicated that extreme heat and humidity would continue to affect the Eastern Province, Riyadh, the Red Sea coast, and the Gulf, with active dust‑laden winds impacting visibility. On 8 August, forecasts predicted thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rain and hail in parts of Jazan and Asir, alongside lighter rain in the Al‑Baha and Mecca highlands. During this period, dust‑raising winds were expected to affect Mecca, Medina, and Ha'il. Maritime conditions remained volatile, with Red Sea waves potentially reaching 2.5 m and Arabian Gulf waves exceeding 2 m due to winds that could surpass 50 km/h during thunderstorms. In mid-August, the National Center of Meteorology maintained warnings for rainy thunderstorms and active winds in Jazan, Asir, and Al Bahah. High maximum temperatures were expected to persist in the Eastern Province and Riyadh. Additionally, active winds capable of stirring up dust and sand were forecast for Najran, the Northern Borders, Hail, Al Qassim, Madinah, and Makkah. Red Sea wave heights were projected to reach over two meters, while Arabian Gulf waves were expected between 0.5 and 1.5 meters. On 19 August, forecasts continued to predict rainy thunderstorms and active winds for Jazan, Asir, and Al Bahah, with high temperatures persisting in Riyadh and the Eastern Province.

## Claims

- Perceived temperature in Cairo reached up to 43 °C due to humidity. (disputed by 3 sources)
- The Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned citizens to avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The National Center for Meteorology forecast high maximum temperatures in parts of the Eastern Province, Riyadh and the Mecca region. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Active winds will lift dust and reduce visibility in the Eastern Province, Riyadh, Mecca region and Najran, especially on the coastal road to Jazan. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Dust particles will affect the western and southwestern parts of Saudi Arabia. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Thunderstorm clouds are expected to develop over the southern part of Saudi Arabia. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Surface winds on the Red Sea will be north‑westerly to north‑easterly at 10‑32 km/h in the north and south‑westerly to north‑westerly at 25‑45 km/h in the central and southern parts, possibly over 50 (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Red Sea wave heights are forecast at 0.5‑1 m in the north, 1‑2 m in the central and southern zones, and may exceed 2 m with thunderstorms. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Sea conditions on the Red Sea will be light waves in the north, moderate in the centre and south, becoming rough with thunderstorms in the south. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- In the Arabian Gulf, winds will blow north‑easterly to south‑westerly in the north and north‑westerly to south‑westerly in the centre and south at 10‑28 km/h, with wave heights of 0.5‑1 m and light se (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Temperatures in southern Upper Egypt reached 46 °C. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Sea conditions show Mediterranean wave heights of 1.5‑2.5 m and Red Sea heights of 1‑2 m with varying wind directions. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Saudi Arabia weather alert: Thunderstorms and flash floods expected

Saudi Arabia's National Center for Meteorology warns of moderate to heavy thunderstorms, potential flash floods, and hail across several regions, including Jazan, Asir, and Makkah.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-weather-alert-thunderstorms-and-flash-floods-expected

### 2026-08-22: Saudi Arabia weather: Heavy rain and flash floods forecast for several regions

Saudi Arabia's National Center of Meteorology warns of heavy thunderstorms, hail, and potential flash floods in Jazan, Asir, Al Bahah, and Makkah, alongside dust storms in other regions.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-weather-alert-heavy-rain-and-flash-floods-expected

### 2026-08-19: Saudi Arabia weather forecast predicts thunderstorms and dust storms

Saudi Arabia's National Center of Meteorology predicts thunderstorms and active winds in Jazan, Asir, and Al Bahah, with high temperatures in Riyadh and dust storms affecting multiple regions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-weather-forecast-predicts-thunderstorms-and-dust-storms

### 2026-08-08: Saudi Arabia forecasts heavy rain, hail and strong winds across several regions

Saudi Arabia's meteorology agency warns of thunderstorms with moderate‑to‑heavy rain, hail and strong winds in Jazan, Asir, Al‑Baha and Mecca, plus hot temperatures and dust‑raising winds in the east, while Red

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-forecasts-heavy-rain-hail-and-strong-winds-across-several-regions

### 2026-07-31: Egypt Endures Extreme August Heat Wave as Temperatures Hit 45°C

A regional heat wave in early August 2026 pushes Egypt’s temps to 45 °C, with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait facing similar extreme heat, dust storms and sea‑state warnings.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-faces-high-heat-dust-storms-and-strong-red-sea-winds

### 2026-07-30: Saudi Arabia sees thunderstorms and strong winds across Jazan, Asir and Riyadh regions

Saudi Arabia’s meteorology centre warns of thunderstorms and heavy rain in Jazan and Asir, strong dust‑raising winds in Riyadh and Najran, and rough seas on the Red Sea and Gulf.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-sees-thunderstorms-and-strong-winds-across-jazan-asir-and-riyadh-regions

### 2026-07-28: Dust Storm Forecast Slashes Visibility Across Western Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's NCM warns of a dust storm from July 29–Aug 8, 2026, cutting visibility to near‑zero in Mecca, Medina, Al Baha, Asir and Najran, urging travelers to avoid non‑essential trips.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dust-storm-forecast-slashes-visibility-across-western-saudi-arabia

### 2026-07-26: Severe Thunderstorms and Strong Winds Forecast for Southern Saudi Arabia

Thunderstorms with hail, strong dust‑laden winds, reduced visibility and choppy seas are forecast for Jazan, Asir, Al‑Baha and Mecca highlands in southern Saudi Arabia.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/severe-thunderstorms-and-strong-winds-forecast-for-southern-saudi-arabia

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Cite as: Saudi Arabia severe weather and heat wave. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/saudi-arabia-severe-weather-forecasts
