Abha tops the list of Saudi Arabia's thunderstorms: Weather Report 2025
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia has released a detailed climate report highlighting the weather characteristics of the Kingdom's regions, reviewing the average number of thunderstorm days over a long period of time extending from 1985 to 2025. The report's findings are based on approved climate records and accurate databases that monitor weather changes over four decades.
Abha leads the standings, with Taif in second place
Climate data shows that Abha, the capital of the Asir region, tops the list of Saudi cities in terms of the frequency of stormy weather events, recording the highest average number of thunderstorm days at 59 per year. Taif came in second with 45 days, followed by Khamis Mushait and Al-Baha with 44 days each, reflecting the climatic characteristics of the southwestern highlands. The Jazan region recorded 33 days.
Storm distribution across the rest of the Kingdom
The report details the remaining regions, showing 19 days of thunderstorms in both Qassim and Hail, and 17 days in Bisha, Makkah, and Dammam. Madinah recorded 15 days, Riyadh 14, and Najran 13. The numbers varied in other northern and coastal areas, with Rafha, Al-Ahsa, Arar, and Al-Jawf recording 11 days, Jeddah 10, Wadi Al-Dawasir 9, and Tabuk and Yanbu 8. Al-Qurayyat recorded 7 days, Sharurah 6, and Tarif 5, while Al-Wajh recorded the fewest days with only 4 throughout the year.
Geographical factors and the influence of topography
The southwestern regions (Abha, Taif, and Al-Baha) top this list due to their unique geography. The Sarawat Mountains play a pivotal role in attracting moist winds from the Red Sea, leading to cloud formation and thunderstorms, particularly during the summer months—a phenomenon known as orographic and seasonal rainfall. This climatic variation gives these regions a tourism and agricultural advantage compared to the arid central and northern desert regions.
The importance of climate monitoring for future planning
This report, which covers 40 years, is not only important for monitoring weather conditions, but also serves as a vital database for urban planning, agriculture, and tourism. Understanding thunderstorm seasons and their intensity helps relevant authorities develop stormwater drainage infrastructure, enhance public safety measures, and support the tourism sector in Abha and other Saudi resorts, which rely on rainy weather as a key attraction for visitors from both within and outside the Kingdom.
