Dust storms in Saudi Arabia increased by 24% during January 2026
Saudi Arabia has experienced a noticeable change in weather patterns since the beginning of this year, with the Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms recording a 24% increase in dust-related incidents during January 2026 compared to the usual historical average for this period. These incidents included dust and sandstorms, suspended dust, and blowing dust, prompting relevant authorities to raise their level of preparedness.
Reasons for the rise and details of the affected areas
The regional center attributed this noticeable increase to the influence of cold northern air masses on the Kingdom's atmosphere, coinciding with strong northerly and northwesterly winds. This wind activity directly contributed to stirring up dust and sand, leading to an increase in the number of days experiencing dust storms.
In terms of the geographical distribution of these events, Al-Jawf region the list with the highest increase in dust activity, jumping to 163% compared to historical averages—a record high reflecting the severity of weather fluctuations in the northern regions. The central region came in second with a 42% increase, including the capital, Riyadh, and the governorates of Dawadmi and Al-Kharj. The eastern region recorded a 13% increase, with its impact concentrated in Al-Ahsa and Hafr Al-Batin.
Climate context and the importance of early monitoring
This data comes in the context of the Kingdom's growing interest in climate and environmental issues, as dust storms are among the natural phenomena affecting the Arabian Peninsula. Changes in atmospheric pressure systems and the movement of air masses play a pivotal role in the formation of these storms, especially during seasonal transitions and winter. Accurate monitoring of these phenomena is a key component of the Kingdom's strategy for addressing environmental challenges.
The Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms, one of the Kingdom's environmental initiatives, continuously analyzes this climate data. These efforts aim to strengthen early warning systems, enabling vital sectors such as aviation, land transport, and healthcare to take necessary preventative measures before storms occur.
Health and economic impacts
The impact of increased dust storms extends beyond the environmental sphere, encompassing multiple health and economic aspects. From a health perspective, the recurring dust storms increase pressure on emergency departments due to the impact on patients with respiratory illnesses, asthma, and allergies. Economically, reduced horizontal visibility can affect air and land transportation, highlighting the importance of the data provided by the center to minimize potential losses and ensure business continuity.
Through the Saudi Green Initiative and the Regional Center, the Kingdom seeks to reduce dust sources through afforestation projects and increasing vegetation cover. These are sustainable solutions aimed at reducing the severity of these storms in the long term, thereby enhancing the quality of life and environmental safety in various regions of the Kingdom.
