In a rare weather event, parts of Saudi Arabia’s northern regions were blanketed in white as unusually heavy rainfall and hailstorms swept through the desert landscapes, authorities confirmed on Saturday. The extreme weather affected the regions of Tabuk and Hail, where torrential downpours and hail turned the arid terrain into a wintry scene, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures.
Saudi Arabia’s meteorological department has warned that the unstable weather will persist until Tuesday, with varying intensities of rain expected across the country. Residents in affected areas have reported noticeable cooling and slippery conditions, prompting local authorities to issue warnings about reduced visibility and hazardous road conditions.
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Earlier, the General Directorate of Civil Defense had issued a nationwide alert predicting moderate to heavy rainfall across several key regions, including Makkah, Riyadh, Medina, Tabuk, and Hail. The Civil Defense urged citizens to avoid flood-prone areas and to follow official channels for weather updates and safety precautions.
In response to the severe weather, the Makkah Education Department has suspended in-person classes for schools in Makkah and nearby areas, with remote learning continuing via the Madrasati platform. Umm Al Qura University has also shifted to online classes, ensuring the safety of students and staff as per the latest forecasts from the National Center of Meteorology.
