Severe Storms Bring Hail and Flooding to Saudi Arabia

Recent severe weather events have impacted several cities across Saudi Arabia, bringing heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and flooding. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) had issued warnings in advance of the storms, anticipating potential disruptions to traffic and damage to infrastructure.

Impacted Regions

The eastern region of Mecca, including the cities of Taif and Abha, experienced particularly heavy rainfall that led to widespread flooding. Images circulating online show streets inundated with water and significant traffic delays [Source: YouTube]. Intense hailstorms also blanketed desert areas in a layer of ice, creating unusual scenes in the typically arid landscape.

Weather Alerts and Warnings

On March 10, 2026, the NCM issued both orange and yellow weather alerts, signaling unstable weather conditions across the Kingdom [Source: Instagram]. On March 2, 2026, the NCM released a weather map highlighting temperature variations and potential for severe weather [Source: Facebook]. Authorities urged residents to exercise caution due to the risk of traffic disruptions and infrastructure damage.

Unusual Weather Phenomena

The hailstorms were particularly striking given the region’s typically dry climate. Reports and images show camels navigating through the unusual icy conditions. Some experts suggest that global warming may be contributing to the acceleration of such extreme weather events.