Saudi Arabia's Meteorology Department: Heavy thunderstorms expected in 12 regions until Friday, with hail, downdrafts, and possible tornadoes.

The latest updates issued by the National Center for Meteorology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia indicate that the Kingdom’s atmosphere will be affected by a widespread rainy weather system, starting from Monday, April 20, 2026 and continuing until Friday, April 24, 2026, accompanied by chances of thunderstorms of varying intensity that may be heavy at times in several regions of the Kingdom.

Weather maps show forecasts of renewed activity of cumulonimbus clouds on a wide scale, with the effects of the situation extending to include 12 administrative regions, with the possibility of strong thunder cells forming during intermittent periods of the day and night, which increases the chances of heavy local rainfall during short periods of time.

The situation is also expected to be accompanied by significant downdraft activity, which may stir up dust and sand in some areas.

Areas covered by the rain forecast this week

Medina, Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, Northern Borders, Tabuk, Eastern Province, Al-Jawf, Mecca, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan, Najran.

Weather phenomena expected to affect the Kingdom

According to the National Center of Meteorology, the possibility of the situation being accompanied by strong weather phenomena cannot be ruled out, most notably:

• Lightning, thunder, and thunderbolts
• Heavy, sometimes accumulating, hail showers fell.
• Downdrafts may be locally strong
• The possibility of funnel clouds forming in limited areas
• Waterspouts form on coastlines
• Local dust storms

The heaviest rainfall will be in these areas.

Data suggests that some areas may be more prone to heavy rainfall and extreme weather events, particularly in:

• Medina: Al-Ula, Khaybar, Al-Mahd, Al-Hanakiya
• Hail: Baqaa, Al-Ghazala, Al-Shanan, Muwaqq
• Al-Qassim: Buraidah, Unaizah, Ar-Rass, Al-Mudhnib, Riyadh Al-Khabra, Al-Bukayriyah
• Riyadh: the capital, Al-Kharj, Al-Dawadmi, Afif, Shaqra, Al-Majma'ah, Al-Zulfi
• Eastern Province: Dammam, Khobar, Jubail, Qatif, Hafr Al-Batin
• Tabuk: Tayma
• Al-Jawf: Sakaka, Al-Qurayyat, Tabarjal
• Mecca: Taif, Ranyah, Al-Khurmah, Al-Ardiyat
• Al Baha: Al Makhwah, Qalwa, Baljurashi, Al Mandaq
• Asir: Abha, Khamis Mushait, Mahayil Asir, Al Namas, Bisha
• Jazan: Jazan, Faifa, Al-Ardah, Al-Raith

This situation is classified as a strong spring weather instability, which is usually characterized by a large variation in the distribution and intensity of rainfall, where some areas may experience heavy rain in a very short time, compared to lesser effects in neighboring areas.