Saudi rains turn deserts green, draw crowds outdoors

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A view of Hail City in northern Saudi Arabia just after an afternoon of rainshowers. SPA)
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People stroll at a park in Al-Baha amid rainshowers. (SPA)
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Families and friends camp out in Rafha to enjoy the pleasant weather conditions. (SPA)
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The mild weather and natural scenery unique to Hail’s rainy season has attracted nature lovers. (SPA)
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Updated 30 March 2026
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Saudi rains turn deserts green, draw crowds outdoors

  • Spring showers spark tourism and revive landscapes across the Kingdom

RIYADH: Spring rains sweeping across Saudi Arabia have turned desert expanses green and filled mountain valleys with mist and waterfalls.

The results have drawn the crowds outside to enjoy the rare seasonal transformation, according to reports by the Saudi Press Agency that document the rains’ impact across various regions.




A view of Al-Baha shrouded in fog. (SPA)

In southwestern Al-Baha, showers blanketed mountains and forests in fog, sending waterfalls cascading down rocky cliffs as temperatures dipped below 10 C. The rains have revived vegetation and boosted the area’s appeal as a summer tourism destination.

Visitors, including photographers, gathered during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday to capture sweeping views of cloud-covered peaks and post-rain greenery.

In the central Qassim region, rainfall has compacted sand dunes and formed shallow pools, creating ideal conditions for off-road driving, camping and other outdoor pursuits. Near Buraidah, groups of young people have flocked to the desert, gathering around campfires in cooler evening air.




Families and friends camp out in Rafha to enjoy the pleasant weather conditions. (SPA)

Further north in Rafha, rain has transformed meadows near historic Zubala village into green picnic grounds, attracting families seeking mild weather and open space.

In the Hail region, scattered showers have drawn visitors to desert and mountain areas, including the Aja Mountains and Salma Mountains, where seasonal camps have sprung up.

The National Center for Meteorology has warned of further rainfall. Authorities are urging caution in flood-prone areas, with officials working to manage traffic and public safety.

Though brief, the seasonal rains offer a striking reminder of the Kingdom’s shifting landscapes — and a welcome respite that brings communities together under cooler skies.