Dust Storms Blanket Saudi Arabia as Visibility Drops and Warnings Spread

National Weather Authority Issues Week-Long Alert Across Major Regions, Including Riyadh and Makkah

Saudi Arabia is bracing for a week of hazy skies and dusty air as strong winds whip up dust storms across large swathes of the kingdom. Authorities have warned of dangerously low visibility and potential travel disruptions, urging residents in affected areas to remain cautious—especially on the roads.

The forecast, released by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), came as swirling clouds of dust already began coating parts of Riyadh and beyond. And the bad news? It’s expected to last until at least the start of next week.

Winds Stir Up Worry From Riyadh to the Red Sea Coast

Dust storms are nothing new in the Gulf, but the scale of this current system has taken many by surprise. According to the NCM, active winds are expected to remain persistent through early next week, impacting multiple key regions.

That includes:

• The Eastern Province

• Eastern areas of Makkah and Madinah

• Parts of Asir and Najran

• The coastal road corridor stretching from Jeddah down to Jazan

What makes this event especially troubling is how widespread the forecast is. Typically, a storm may hover over one part of the country for a day or two before dissipating. This time, however, the winds are persistent, broad, and unrelenting.

Riyadh Bears the Brunt of Blowing Sand

Riyadh residents woke up Monday to skies thick with dust and roads coated in fine sand. Visibility in some neighborhoods dropped to just a few kilometers. For a city that’s already wrestling with rising summer temperatures, this added layer of grit isn’t just unpleasant—it’s hazardous.

In fact, the NCM issued special advisories for several governorates within Riyadh Province:

• Al-Sulayyil and Wadi Al-Dawasir: Dust storms from 1am to 5pm

• Al-Aflaj: Dust expected from 3am to 5pm

It’s worth noting that visibility in some spots could fall to just 3 kilometers, a serious concern for drivers and anyone out on foot. Emergency services have already ramped up preparedness in case of traffic pile-ups or respiratory emergencies.

Medical Experts Raise Alarm Over Air Quality

Doctors in Riyadh and Jeddah say they’ve seen a jump in patients reporting breathing issues, asthma flare-ups, and eye irritation. Many clinics issued public statements advising residents—especially the elderly and children—to stay indoors.

Dust storms in Saudi Arabia can carry a host of fine particulate matter, including:

• PM10 and PM2.5 particles

• Fungal spores

• Bacteria

• Silica dust from desert sand

“Allergy season just got worse,” said Dr. Huda Al-Mutairi, a pulmonologist at King Fahad Medical City. “We’re urging people with respiratory conditions to use masks and air purifiers indoors.”

Transportation and Logistics Face Headwinds

It’s not just health that’s under pressure. Saudi Arabia’s vast logistics and supply chain network is also grappling with the fallout.

Highway travel has slowed significantly along major trucking routes. The road from Jeddah to Jazan—vital for moving goods between Red Sea ports and the southern border—has seen near standstills at times due to low visibility.

According to local transport unions, several haulage companies have adjusted delivery schedules to avoid peak dust periods. Others have paused intercity movement entirely.

Here’s a quick look at impacted transport zones:

Schools Stay Open, But Attendance Wavers

Despite worsening air conditions, the Education Ministry has not issued a blanket closure of schools. However, some private institutions in Jeddah and Riyadh allowed parents to keep children home without penalty.

“We had 40% attendance today,” said Lina Al-Shamari, headteacher at a private primary school in Riyadh. “We’re running classes with air purifiers on max, but it’s not ideal.”

For parents, the decision has been tough. Balancing work and safety concerns while the air remains thick with dust has made for a stressful week—and it’s only Tuesday.

What to Expect Next

The National Centre of Meteorology says there’s little chance of immediate relief. Winds are expected to shift slightly toward the northeast by Thursday, possibly impacting additional pockets of Tabuk and Hail. By Sunday, models suggest a gradual weakening—but not before at least four more days of dust-drenched skies.

NCM spokesperson Faisal Al-Shehri said in a live weather update that satellite imagery showed “no clear exit path” for the current system until the weekend. “We advise all citizens and residents to stay alert and follow updates closely,” he added.

One official at the General Directorate of Traffic echoed the concern. “We’ve increased patrols and are coordinating with emergency services to respond quickly to road accidents caused by low visibility,” he said.

A Few Practical Tips If You’re in the Storm Zone

By midweek, most major cities in the Kingdom will feel some effect of the dust storm. So what can you do if you live in one of the hit zones?

Here’s what local experts are recommending:

• Wear N95 masks outdoors, especially if you have asthma or allergies

• Avoid outdoor exercise until the dust settles

• Use air purifiers indoors to limit fine particulate exposure

• Keep car headlights on even during the day when driving in dust zones

• Drink plenty of water—it helps flush out inhaled particles from the respiratory tract

It might not feel like it, but this dusty siege will pass. For now, best to lay low, keep an eye on the NCM’s updates, and maybe delay that road trip.