The season started strong... Details of the first rainy season accompanied by a cold wave, winds, and dust in the last third of October 2024.

During the last third of October of last year, the Kingdom witnessed its first unusually early rainy season. Heavy rains fell across large parts of the Kingdom, accompanied by hail and strong winds that stirred up dust and sand. Meanwhile, northern regions recorded a significant drop in temperatures, falling to -10°C.

A strong start for the 2024 hashtag

The first cold air mass surged, causing atmospheric instability.

In detail, weather fluctuations began to affect the region when a cold air mass from eastern Europe and the Levant rushed into the Kingdom. This coincided with the extension of the Red Sea depression and the influx of tropical moisture from the south, causing widespread unstable weather conditions.

It started in the west of the Kingdom and expanded rapidly.

Heavy thunderstorms and hailstorms hit some areas.

Cumulonimbus clouds began to appear over limited areas north of Riyadh and the northeastern region, accompanied by localized rain. Thunderstorms continued over the highlands of Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, as well as parts of Makkah and Taif, with varying amounts of rain.

Gradually, the rainy conditions increased in intensity and scope, with thunderstorms extending to large parts of Qassim, Hafar Al-Batin, and some inland parts of the Eastern Province, in addition to the highlands of Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, accompanied by rain of varying intensity.

The rainy conditions peaked on October 25.

It covered large parts of the Kingdom, including northern Riyadh.

The impact of the storm peaked on Friday night and Saturday morning, with the Kingdom experiencing heavy rains, sometimes accompanied by hail, particularly in Hafar Al-Batin, parts of Hail, Qassim, and northern Riyadh. This led to rising water levels and flooding of valleys. The rains also affected parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and the eastern parts of Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

Early cold wave in the north of the Kingdom

Low temperatures dropped significantly, reaching below 10 degrees Celsius in the north of the Kingdom, particularly in Al-Jawf, Tabuk, the Northern Borders, and Hail. This necessitated wearing warm clothing and adapting to the sudden drop in temperature.

Active winds and local dust storms

The rainy conditions were accompanied by active winds in several areas, causing dust storms, especially in open areas and just before the rains. The winds continued to be active during the passage of thunderclouds, causing local dust storms at intervals.