Thunderstorms and strong winds expected across several regions Saturday

The National Center for Meteorology, in its daily weather report, forecast thunderstorms accompanied by hail over parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah on Saturday, August 29, 2026 (16 Rabi Al-Awwal 1448 AH).

The report added that there remains a chance of rain-bearing thunderclouds forming over parts of Hail, Al-Jouf, Northern Borders, Eastern Province, and Najran.

The center also noted that active winds stirring dust and sand will affect parts of these regions, potentially causing near-zero visibility in parts of Tabuk.

Wind patterns and sea conditions

The report indicated that surface winds over the Red Sea will range from northwesterly to southwesterly at speeds between 15 and 35 km/h, reaching over 50 km/h with the formation of rain-bearing thunderclouds over the central and southern sections. Wave heights will range from half a meter to one and a half meters, exceeding two meters in areas experiencing thunderstorms.

The Red Sea will see light to moderate waves, becoming rough with thunderstorms over the central and southern parts. In the Arabian Gulf, surface winds will be westerly to northwesterly over the northern and central parts, shifting at night to southeasterly over the central part, and from southeasterly to southwesterly, turning at night to northwesterly then northeasterly over the southern part, at speeds of 10–30 km/h. Wave heights will be between half a meter and one meter, with generally light sea conditions.