Winter Officially Begins Monday: Saudi Arabia Braces for Rainfall, Hail, and Thunderstorms

Saudi Arabia will officially enter meteorological winter on Monday, December 1, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). The shift marks the beginning of steadily dropping temperatures across the Kingdom, as reported by Saudi Gazette.

Rainfall Expected in Multiple Regions-
NCM spokesperson Hussein Al Qahtani announced that several regions are expected to experience continued rainfall in the days ahead. The first December rainy spell is forecast to begin next Sunday, bringing moderate to heavy showers to areas recently affected, such as Madinah, Hail, the Makkah highlands, the southern Makkah coast, and other parts of the country.

Thunderstorms, Hail, and Fog Forecast-
The NCM has warned that moderate thunderstorms, accompanied by hail and strong winds, are likely in Jazan, Asir, and Al Baha.
Fog may form across these regions as well as the Eastern Province.
Additionally, dust and sand stirred by surface winds may impact Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, and Al Jouf.

Red Sea Conditions to Monitor-
Marine conditions along the Red Sea are expected to vary:

• Northern & Central regions: northwesterly to northerly winds at 10–28 km/h

• Southern region: southerly to southeasterly winds at 15–40 km/h

Wind gusts may reach 50 km/h near thunderstorms, especially around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Wave heights are projected at 0.5–1 metre in the north and central sectors, and 1–2 metres in the south, exceeding 2 metres near storm activity. The sea state will range from slight in the north and central areas to moderate-to-rough in southern waters.

Overall Weather Remains Pleasant-
Despite the expected rainfall and storms, Al Qahtani emphasized that much of Saudi Arabia will continue to experience stable and pleasant winter weather. However, he urged residents to remain vigilant in regions where localized storms, heavy rain, and strong winds are likely.

The arrival of winter brings a mix of refreshing seasonal weather and heightened caution across the Kingdom as the first rainy spell of December approaches.