JEDDAH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) said initial signs of rainfall are expected to coincide with the mid-year school holiday across most regions of Saudi Arabia, with weather alerts ranging from yellow to orange levels. According to the NCM, yellow alerts indicate low to moderate rainfall, while orange alerts signal moderate to heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, reduced visibility and, in some areas, rising sea levels. Under yellow-level alerts, rainfall is forecast in Najran's Shuroorah from 10 p.m. Sunday until 5 p.m. Monday. In the Riyadh region, Al Aflaj, Al Sulayyil and Wadi Al Dawasir are expected to be affected from 11 p.m. Sunday until 5 p.m. Monday. In Al Jouf, Al Qurayyat and Tabarjal are forecast to see rainfall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, with winds reaching 40–49 km/h. Similar conditions are expected in the Northern Borders region, including Turaif, during the same period. In the Eastern Province, Al Jubail, Al Khobar, Dammam, Qatif and Ras Tanura are expected to be affected from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, with winds of 40–49 km/h. Reduced visibility is forecast in Al Ahsa, Al Adeed and Buqayq during the same timeframe. Orange-level alerts were issued for several regions. In Al-Baha, including Al-Baha, Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Baljurashi, Bani Hassan, Al-Hajrah, Al-Makhwah, Qilwah and Far'at Ghamid Al-Zinad, rainfall is expected from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, with the possibility of hail, lightning and flash flooding. In the Makkah region, Adham, Bani Yazid, Juthum, Maysan, Yalamlam and Taif are forecast to be affected from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, while Al-Shuaibah is expected to see rainfall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The areas may experience moderate to heavy rain, hail, thunderstorms, flash flooding and dust. Al Khurma, Al Moya, Turbah, Rabigh, Al Kamil, Al Jumum, Khulais and Ranyah are forecast to be affected from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, with strong winds, dust and reduced visibility. In Asir, Al-Amawah, Al-Arin, Bisha, Tathlith and Turaib are expected to be affected by orange-level rainfall from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. In Jazan, Farsan is forecast to see rainfall during the same period, with winds reaching 50–59 km/h, reduced visibility and rising sea levels. The Tabuk region, including Al Wajh and Umluj, is expected to be affected from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, while in the Madinah region rainfall is forecast in AlUla and Khaybar during the same hours. The NCM also recorded the Kingdom's lowest temperatures for Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, warning of near-freezing conditions in northern and high-altitude areas. Turaif and Rafha recorded 1°C, Arar and Hafar Al-Batin 2°C, Al Qurayyat 3°C, Al Jouf 4°C, and Hail, Khamis Mushait and Abha 5°C. At sea, the NCM said the Red Sea will experience northwesterly to northerly winds in the north and northwesterly to southwesterly winds in central and southern areas at speeds of 20–40 km/h, reaching up to 50 km/h. Wave heights are expected to range from 1 to 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in areas affected by thunderclouds, with sea conditions shifting from light to moderate and becoming rough at times. In the Arabian Gulf, northwesterly to northerly winds of 20–40 km/h are forecast, with wave heights of 1 to 2 meters and light to moderate sea conditions.
