Rain lashes parts of Saudi Arabia with warnings of thunderstorms and hail

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Rain fell on parts of Saudi Arabia early on Sunday, with officials forecasting thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds. (SPA)
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Rain fell on parts of Saudi Arabia early on Sunday, with officials forecasting thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds. (SPA)
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Rain fell on parts of Saudi Arabia early on Sunday, with officials forecasting thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds. (SPA)
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Rain fell on parts of Saudi Arabia early on Sunday, with officials forecasting thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds. (SPA)
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Updated 12 January 2025
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Rain lashes parts of Saudi Arabia with warnings of thunderstorms and hail

  • Overcast skies dominated the day in the capital Riyadh, which recorded moderate rainfall in the morning
  • The weather office also warned of potential near-zero visibility and flooding in some areas

RIYADH: Rain fell on parts of Saudi Arabia early on Sunday, with officials forecasting thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds.

Overcast skies dominated the day in the capital Riyadh, which recorded moderate rainfall in the morning.

The National Center of Meteorology forecast strong winds, hail and thunderstorms, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The weather office also warned of potential near-zero visibility and flooding in some areas.

In the southern Jazan region, heavy rain was reported earlier in the day, affecting Jazan City for Basic and Transformative Industries, as well as the governorates of Ad-Darb, Beesh and the Farasan Islands.

The center issued alerts for Jazan, warning of thunderstorms, high waves and strong winds in the region.

Areas including Sabya, Abu Arish, Al-Harith, Ad-Dayer, Fifa, and Harub were highlighted in the advisory.

Residents were cautioned about the risk of reduced visibility and localized flooding in affected areas.

Earlier this week, parts of Saudi Arabia, including Asir, Makkah, and Madinah regions, experienced similar weather conditions.

Thunderstorms coupled with heavy rain caused temporary disruptions in traffic and daily activities.

The authorities issued several warnings during that period, urging residents to stay vigilant, especially in flood-prone areas.

The rainfall is caused by seasonal weather changes affecting parts of the Kingdom.

The Jazan region, in particular, often experiences heavy rains at this time of year, which can result in flash floods and other related challenges.

Authorities in Riyadh and Jazan have reiterated the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, particularly for motorists navigating slippery roads and areas prone to water accumulation.

Emergency response teams are on high alert to address any incidents caused by the adverse weather.

Residents in affected areas have been advised to follow updates and warnings issued by the center to ensure their safety as weather conditions develop.


Japan consulate in Jeddah celebrates emperor’s birthday, highlights strong cultural and economic ties

Updated 13 February 2026
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Japan consulate in Jeddah celebrates emperor’s birthday, highlights strong cultural and economic ties

  • In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Yamamoto highlighted the growing cultural exchange between the two nations

JEDDAH: The consulate general of Japan in Saudi Arabia celebrated the upcoming birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito with a reception at the residence of the consul general Daisuke Yamamoto in Jeddah on Thursday night. 

The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah; Farid bin Saad Al-Shehri, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Makkah Region; Saleh Ali Al-Turki, mayor of Jeddah; and other Saudi officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the local community.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Yamamoto highlighted the growing cultural exchange between the two nations.

“The relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia is particularly strong in the cultural field. Saudi people are very fond of Japanese pop culture, especially anime and manga, and many are motivated to learn Japanese just to enjoy the original works,” he said.

Yamamoto noted that while enthusiasm is high, challenges remain in expanding language education. “Currently, we don’t have a dedicated Japanese language institute in Jeddah. Some institutes exist in Riyadh, but here people mostly study Japanese on their own, which is difficult without interacting with native speakers. Establishing a permanent institute is one of our goals, but we cannot do it alone; we need Saudi partners,” he explained.

During his speech at the reception, Yamamoto said: “Japan is Saudi Arabia’s third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached $36 billion by the end of 2024, reflecting a 50-percent increase since 2016. Many Japanese companies are investing directly in the Kingdom, across sectors such as petrochemicals, energy, automobiles, electronics, and titanium production.” He also encouraged Saudi investors to explore opportunities in Japan’s market.

He also highlighted recent initiatives designed to strengthen cultural ties, including the three-day Hayy Matsuri Japanese cultural festival at Hayy Jameel, which welcomed more than 12,000 visitors, and a two-day Kabuki performance organized in partnership with the Historic Jeddah Project and teamLab. “These cultural exchanges offer a chance for Saudis to experience Japan firsthand, from traditional arts to contemporary innovations,” he said.

Yamamoto welcomed the Kingdom’s participation in upcoming international events in Japan, including the 2026 Asian and Paralympic Games in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, as well as the GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama.

The evening concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting alongside a showcase of Japanese cuisine.

Reflecting on the broader Japan–Saudi relationship, Yamamoto praised the enduring friendship between the two nations.

“Our countries share a history of partnership that spans generations. Celebrations like today not only honor the emperor’s birthday, but also reinforce the enduring collaboration and mutual respect between our peoples,” he said.

He expressed hope for continued growth in cultural, educational, and economic collaboration, emphasizing the strong foundations laid under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.