If you hear a loud clap followed by some lightning and rain, do not worry, its not Thor descending to defeat some villain, its just the Saudi thunderstorm warning coming into play.
Since the beginning of December, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued back to back warnings about turbulent weather.
Now, the Civil Defense is urging you to stay indoors as much as possible starting from today, Sunday, December 14 because thunderstorms will be rolling across Saudi until Thursday, December 18.
Major cities including Makkah, Jeddah, and Riyadh are set to be affected.
Saudi thunderstorm warning 2025
Winter peak season in Saudi Arabia runs from December through the end of January, bringing cooler temperatures and the occasional splash of rain, hail, or even light snow. If you are visiting during this time, pack smart and layer up so you can enjoy the Kingdom comfortably while the weather does its thing.
What to expect from the Saudi thunderstorm warning 2025
According to the Saudi Gazette, Civil Defense has warned of moderate to heavy rain that could bring flash floods, hail, and dust storms in several regions. Makkah and Riyadh are among the areas most affected, while parts of Jeddah and surrounding cities can expect lighter showers. Similar conditions are forecast for the Eastern Province, Hail, Qassim, Al Jouf, the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Madinah, Al Baha, Asir, and Jazan, with lighter rain in Najran.
Saudi thunderstorm warning’s safety precautions
Stay in safe areas, skip the valleys and low spots that can flood, and avoid swimming in rivers or fast-moving water. Keep following official media and government updates so you know what is happening and what precautions to take.
Things to do in Saudi winter
December is packed with action, from the return of Winter at Tantora. Riyadh Music Week has just wrapped up volume two. For those who love shopping with a purpose, the DQ Winter Souq has returned and is joined by the first ever Attaché winter market, perfect for discovering local gems while enjoying the festive buzz.
Sun Dec 14-Thu Dec 18. Across Saudi.
