Yanbu Rain Radar: Track Rain Now over Yanbu, the Red Sea Coast and Yanbu Al Nakhl

The Yanbu rain radar shows rain observed right now over Yanbu, the Red Sea coast and Yanbu Al Nakhl: open the live radar and press play to watch the last two hours in frames about 10 minutes apart. Rain in Yanbu is scarce for most of the year and usually comes in late autumn and winter, but it can be heavy in a short time, and floods can arrive from inland valleys even when the sky over the city is clear.

Whether you live in Yanbu, work in the industrial city or are visiting for the beaches and diving, this guide explains how to follow the radar, when rain is most likely, and why the real flood risk often comes from the mountains to the east.

How do you check the Yanbu rain radar live?

The radar does not forecast the weather; it observes rain that is actually falling. That makes it the right tool for the questions people in Yanbu ask on unsettled days: is it raining now, where is the rain, and is it heading our way?

1. Open the live rain radar and zoom in on Yanbu, making sure the land to the east is visible up to the mountains, since that is usually where floods come from.
2. Press play to watch the last two hours and note the direction and speed of the rain.
3. Read the colours roughly: light sky blue for light rain, blue for moderate, yellow and orange for heavy, and red to pink for very heavy rain, often with thunderstorms.
4. Open Yanbu weather for the current temperature and the hourly and 7-day forecast.

If you see rain cells over the sea moving towards the coast, or strong cells sitting over the eastern mountains, it is a good time to check the hourly forecast and get ready. If there is no colour near Yanbu, there is most likely no significant rain at that moment.

What the radar cannot see

Fixed dots that never move are usually echoes from terrain, not rain. In dry air the radar may also show light rain that evaporates before reaching the ground. Trust the movement across several frames, not a single image.

When does it rain in Yanbu?

Yanbu is a Red Sea port in the Madinah region, hot for most of the year and humid on the coast. Rain is generally scarce and varies a lot between years: months can pass without meaningful rain, then a single heavy event arrives.

The best chances are usually in late autumn and winter, when low-pressure systems affect the west coast and clouds form along it. Spring can bring occasional events too, while summer is dominated by heat and humidity with very little rain on the coast.

Period (approximate)	What to expect in Yanbu
Late autumn and winter	The best chance of rain; some events can be short and heavy
Spring	Occasional rain, with changeable winds and dust
Summer	High heat and humidity on the coast; rain is rare
Early autumn	Heat slowly eases while humidity stays high

Because rain is rare, a coastal city's streets can be affected quickly when a lot falls in a short time, with water pooling in low roads. That is why checking the Yanbu radar is worthwhile even when an event looks minor. To compare with other west-coast cities, read our Jeddah rain radar guide.

Yanbu Al Bahr vs Yanbu Al Nakhl: how the weather differs

When people search for Yanbu weather they usually mean the coastal city, but the governorate covers quite different areas:

• Yanbu Al Bahr: the old coastal town and surrounding districts, with high humidity and a sea breeze.
• Yanbu Industrial City: further south-east along the coast, with weather close to the main city.
• Yanbu Al Nakhl: inland to the east, closer to the mountains and valleys, known for palm groves and springs. It is usually drier than the coast and more exposed to thunderstorms that build over the high ground.

Our city page covers Yanbu itself, so visitors to Yanbu Al Nakhl get the most from the radar, which shows directly whether rain is falling over the area or the nearby mountains.

Why do floods in Yanbu come from inland?

East of Yanbu rise the Hejaz mountains, including the well-known Jabal Radwa. When heavy rain falls there, water gathers in the valleys and flows west towards the coastal plain. The result: a wadi can run near Yanbu or Yanbu Al Nakhl while the sky above them is clear or the rain is light.

That is why watching the radar over inland areas is so important on unsettled days. If yellow or red cells sit over the mountains for a while, expect valleys to run some time later.

• Never cross a running wadi by car or on foot; the current can sweep vehicles away.
• Do not camp or picnic in valley beds on rainy days.
• Avoid tunnels and low streets where water collects in the city.
• Follow Civil Defense instructions immediately.

For the full causes and safety rules, read flash floods in Saudi Arabia.

Heat, humidity and dust on the Yanbu coast

Rain is only part of Yanbu's weather. In summer the heat and humidity make it feel hotter than the reading, and the UV index is strong for most of the year, especially for anyone spending time on the beach or diving. Dust can also arrive with strong winds. The Yanbu page shows the air quality and dust card, UV index, and sunrise and sunset times to help you choose when to go out.

Driving the coastal road? Check nearby towns such as Umluj to the north and Rabigh to the south, or Madinah weather if you are heading inland. Many rain events affect both cities, so our Madinah rain radar guide is useful too.

Official weather warnings for Yanbu

Our site does not issue official warnings. The radar shows observed rain and the city page shows model forecasts. Alerts and early warnings for Yanbu and the Madinah region come from the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), and Civil Defense issues safety instructions when needed.

Tip: when an official rain alert is issued for Yanbu, open the radar and look at the eastern mountains and the coast together. It helps you understand where the risk is coming from, then follow the authorities' instructions.