FazTimes media: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – As summer gets stronger, people in the Kingdom are getting ready for a tough weekend because of strong dust storms and very high temperatures in many areas. The National Center for Meteorology has warned everyone to take care, especially people who have breathing problems and those who work outside. The NCM's forecast, shared on Tuesday, says the Eastern Region will have the worst heat, with scorching and windy weather all weekend.

Other areas like Riyadh, Al-Jouf, Northern Borders, Najran, Madinah, and Makkah will also see big dust storms. In some places, visibility will be so low that it becomes very dangerous. The heat, along with strong winds that carry fine sand, makes the environment very unsafe for driving and for health.

A Dusty Dilemma Across the Kingdom

Khalid Al-Ahmari, a long-haul truck driver in the Northern Borders region, said that visibility on some highways dropped to less than 500 meters. “It’s like driving through fog, but it’s dry, and it hurts your eyes,” he explained.

Areas around Riyadh, such as Diriyah, Al-Kharj, Al-Hariq, and Al-Muzahmiyya, began seeing thick dust clouds by mid-morning.

Al-Sulayyil and Wadi Al-Dawasir got specific warnings for the afternoon, while Al-Aflaj is expected to have heavy dust throughout the day. Satellite images from the NCM showed large dust clouds moving across central Saudi Arabia. Because of this, travel has been disrupted, and emergency services have had to remain vigilant.

Health Risks on the Rise

“Dust storms can make asthma and other breathing problems worse, especially for kids and older people,” said Dr.

Dr. Huda Al-Mutairi, a lung specialist at King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, made this statement. “We advise people to wear N95 masks when they have to go outside and to stay inside whenever possible.”

Al Jazeera reports that similar weather events recently have caused a 30% increase in emergency room visits related to breathing difficulties. Pharmacies in Riyadh and Dammam have seen a big rise in the sale of inhalers and allergy medicines in the past two days.

To be safe, many schools and outdoor workers have moved to online classes or changed their work schedules.

Temperatures are getting really high, and life feels like it's in a giant oven. In Riyadh, daytime temperatures are reaching up to 42°C, and even at night, it’s still warm, staying around 30°C. The heat isn’t just making things uncomfortable—it’s really risky. If people stay out too long, they could get heatstroke, lose too much water, or face other serious health problems.

Faisal Al-Qahtani, a safety officer from a major construction company, said, “Workers in construction and farming are especially at risk. We’ve changed their work times to early mornings and late evenings to stay away from the hottest parts of the day.”

In the Eastern Region, temperatures are even higher, and the winds are intensifying the heat sensation. The National Climate Monitoring (NCM) has labeled the weather as “extremely hot,” and there are special warnings in place for busy areas like Dammam and Al.

Maritime Warnings: Choppy Waters Ahead

The warning from the NCM also includes the sea. The weather at sea is getting worse. We expect winds in the northern and central areas of the Red Sea to blow between 10 and 28 kilometers per hour. But in the southern part, wind speeds could go up to 50 kilometers per hour, causing big waves and rough water movement.

The Arabian Gulf is also facing strong winds.

In the northern part, winds from the northwest could reach 45 kilometers per hour. Despite the calmer conditions in the south, authorities still advise small boats and fishermen to remain vigilant. BBC News reports that this kind of sea trouble happens often during the summer, but it needs close attention because it can affect both large ships and smaller fishing boats.

What Can Residents Do?

In response to the warnings, the NCM has provided some safety tips for people to follow:

Do not go outside during the busiest times of the day, which is noon.
m. to 4 p.m.
Make sure to drink enough water and wear loose, light-colored clothes.
Keep your windows shut and use air purifiers inside your home.
Avoid driving during a dust storm unless it is necessary.
Use face masks, especially if you have breathing problems.

Municipal authorities in big cities are working hard to clean sand from roads and keep traffic safe.

They have also increased the number of road patrols on highways where visibility can drop suddenly.

Climate Change and the New Normal?

Weather experts say that extreme weather is happening more often because of climate change. Dr. Salim Bashir, a climate scientist from King Abdulaziz University, explained, “What we are seeing now is part of a bigger trend of stronger heatwaves and longer dry periods.” He added, “We need to get ready for even hotter and longer summers in the future.”

Earlier this year, The Guardian published a report that pointed out how the Gulf area is becoming more at risk from climate extremes.

The report listed dust storms, lack of water, and severe heat waves as major issues. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 focuses on making the economy more diverse, but it also includes some environmental efforts like planting trees, making deserts greener, and using more clean energy. However, experts say that the country needs to speed up its efforts to adapt to these changes.

A Local Perspective

Residents, accustomed to scorching summers, report that this season feels more intense than usual. “We’ve had dust storms before, but this time they feel like they never end,” said Aisha Al-Naimi, a mother of three from Al-Kharj. “We’ve closed our windows and filled up on water, but even the air conditioner seems to be blowing warm air.”

Social media is full of pictures showing orange skies and streets that are challenging to see clearly. Hashtags like #DustStorm2025 and #SaudiHeatWave are popular, with people sharing live updates and advice on how to stay safe.

Some people have even made jokes about it. A funny picture that went viral showed a camel wearing sunglasses and a scarf, with the text: “Even the desert wants a break.”

Looking Ahead

Officials and people are urging the Kingdom to remain vigilant and prepared for another intense weekend. Although the storm will eventually go away, the main point is still clear: adjusting to the new climate conditions is something everyone has to do.

From extreme heat to thick dust, the weather is making big news. And for now, Saudi Arabia has to deal with these challenges, one dusty wind at a time.

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This report has been cross-referenced with coverage from globally recognized news organizations, including BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg, South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, NDTV, The Economic Times, and The Indian Express, and we are committed to upholding the highest standards in global journalism to ensure our readers receive reliable and fact-checked information.

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