{
  "id": 5078350,
  "title": "Red alerts issued as thunderstorms, hail and flash floods sweep across Saudi regions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/red-alerts-issued-as-thunderstorms-hail-and-flash-floods-sweep-across",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T11:17:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Saudi Gazette",
    "slug": "saudi-gazette",
    "url": "https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/664243/saudi-arabia/red-alerts-issued-as-thunderstorms-hail-and-flash-floods-sweep-across-saudi-regions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia is bracing for red alerts due to thunderstorms, hail and flash floods, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). The NCM predicts continued thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall across Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah regions until Friday. Rainfall is expected to intensify on Wednesday over Jazan and Asir, while light to moderate rain is forecast over Najran. Jazan will experience moderate to heavy rain over several towns, including Al-Rayth, Harub and Al-Haydabi. Asir is expected to see moderate to heavy rain over Abha and surrounding areas. **media[2759537]** The Makkah Region will witness moderate to heavy rain over Maysan and Adham, while Taif will receive moderate rain. In Najran, light to moderate rain is forecast over Najran, Badr Al-Janub, Hubuna and Thar. The NCM defines light rainfall as 1-4 millimeters per hour, moderate as 5-9 millimeters per hour, and heavy as 10-50 millimeters per hour or more. Moderate and heavy rainfall may bring dust and sand winds up to 60 kilometers per hour, flash floods, hail and rising coastal waves. The NCM advises the public to monitor updates on affected regions through its Early Warning page, the Anwaa app and social media channels.",
  "summary": "JEDDAH — Red alerts for thunderstorms accompanied by hail and flash floods are expected to remain in effect across several regions of the Kingdom through Friday, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). Through September 4, the NCM forecasts continued thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall across parts of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah regions. Rainfall is expected to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}