{
  "id": 15400436,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia issues red alerts for heavy rain, flash floods in four regions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-arabia-issues-red-alerts-for-heavy-rain-flash-floods-in-four",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T11:01:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-issues-red-alerts-for-heavy-rain-flash-floods-in-four-regions-1.500714957"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Meteorology has issued red alerts for heavy rain and potential flash floods across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al Baha, and Mecca as of Sunday. The meteorological agency predicts thunderstorms, accompanied by hail and strong winds, which could exacerbate dust and sand storms. The unstable weather conditions are expected to impact several areas within the four regions, raising the risk of flash flooding. Additionally, fog is forecast in certain parts of Jazan, Asir, Al Baha, Mecca, and the coastal areas of the Eastern Province, which may further limit visibility. Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to remain elevated across several Saudi cities, with Dammam projected to reach 42°C, followed by Mecca at 39°C, Riyadh and Buraidah at 38°C, Madinah at 37°C, Jeddah and Jazan at 36°C, Hail at 33°C, Arar, Sakaka, and Najran at 32°C, and Tabuk at 28°C. While cooler conditions are anticipated in the southwestern highlands, with Abha reaching 25°C and Al-Baha at 24°C. Humidity levels are forecast to soar to 90% in Abha, Al Baha, and Jazan, 85% in Jeddah and Dammam, 80% in Makkah, and will gradually decrease to 70% in Tabuk, Arar, and Sakaka, 55% in Medina and Hail, 35% in Riyadh and Najran, and as low as 30% in Buraidah. The meteorological warnings indicate a severe weather event, with heavy rain, hail, and minimal visibility expected through Saturday, and the potential for flash floods persisting across multiple regions until Friday.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Saudi Arabia's National Centrefor Meteorology (NCM) has issued red alerts for heavy rain across parts of four regions on Sunday, warning of thunderstorms that could trigger flash floods. The alerts cover parts of Jazan, Asir, Al Baha and Mecca, where moderate to heavy thunderstorms are forecast, accompanied by hail and strong winds that could stir up dust and sand. Get updated faster and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
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  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}