In brief
Saudi Arabia's National Center for Meteorology warned on November 1 that Monday would bring thunderstorms and hail from Jazan to southern Makkah, with strong winds and fog affecting many areas. Changes in wind direction and speed were also forecast for the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.
On Thursday, November 1, the Saudi Press Agency released a forewarning for Monday, November 2, 2026, that several provinces across the kingdom would face thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds. Residents of Jazan, Aseer, Al‑Baha, and eastern provinces, as well as the southern portions of the Makkah region, were told to prepare for sudden weather changes and possible damage to agriculture and infrastructure.
Fog was also expected over northern borders and the Al‑Jouf region, which could reduce visibility for both land and sea operations. The forecast cited the National Center for Meteorology as the source of these warnings and urged local authorities to issue cautionary notices and ensure emergency services were ready.
The report detailed wind conditions over the Red Sea, noting northwesterly to northerly winds of 12–32 km/h in the northern and central sectors. In the evening, the wind direction was expected to shift to northeasterly to southeasterly at similar speeds in the southern portion, intensifying to 40 km/h toward the Bab al‑Mandab Straits. Wave heights were projected to range from half a meter to over two meters, turning the sea from calm to choppy.
Across the Arabian Gulf, winds were forecasted as southeasterly to northeasterly at 10–32 km/h in the northern stretch, with speeds exceeding 50 km/h during thunderstorms. In the southern Gulf, winds were expected to shift to northeasterly to northwesterly, reaching 10–28 km/h. Waves were again expected between half a meter and over two meters, producing a calm to moderately choppy sea state that could affect shipping routes.
With the weather conditions set to change rapidly, the National Center for Meteorology encouraged residents in the affected provinces to stay indoors during peak thunderstorm activity, especially in low‑lying and coastal areas where falling hail could damage buildings and crops. They also advised checking local updates for real‑time wind speed and sea condition changes.
Local government agencies are reportedly coordinating to ensure updates reach residents in multiple languages, reflecting the country's diverse population. Emergency services are on standby to respond to incidents such as power outages, structural damage, and potential flooding caused by heavy rainfall and strong winds.
