Heavy rain and flash flood warning issued for Jazan and Asir
Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology warns of thunderstorms and possible flash floods in Jazan and Asir, with high winds and dust in several regions.
Key Takeaways
AIThe National Center for Meteorology forecast on Saturday, August 16, 2026, moderate to heavy thunderstorms likely to cause flash floods, accompanied by hail and strong winds, across parts of Jazan and Asir.
The report added that light to moderate rain is expected in parts of Najran and Al-Baha, as well as the southern highlands of the Makkah region.
The center noted that temperatures will remain hot to extremely hot in the Eastern Province and parts of Riyadh, Qassim, and the Northern Borders regions. Active winds stirring dust and sand are expected in these areas, as well as in Madinah and Makkah, which may reduce visibility, especially along coastal areas and the highway extending to Jazan.
Sea and wind conditions
The report stated that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northwesterly to westerly at 15–30 km/h in the northern part, 20–45 km/h in the central part, and southwesterly to northwesterly up to 55 km/h with thunderstorm clouds in the south.
Wave heights will range from half a meter to 1.5 meters in the north, and from 1.5 to 2.5 meters in the central and southern parts, possibly exceeding 2.5 meters with thunderstorm activity. Sea conditions will be slight to moderate in the north, and moderate to rough in the central and southern parts.
In the Arabian Gulf, winds will be northwesterly to westerly at 15–35 km/h in the north and central areas, and southwesterly to northwesterly shifting by evening to northeasterly or southeasterly at 10–25 km/h in the south, with wave heights from half a meter to one meter and slight sea conditions.