Rain swept across Makkah on Saturday, October 17, 2026, bringing a rare and beautiful sight to the holy city as showers fell around the Grand Mosque and the Makkah Clock Tower. Videos of the rainfall circulated widely on social media, with many — including a widely shared clip by ARY News — capturing rain falling near the Abraj Al Bait tower under dark evening skies.
For residents and pilgrims alike, rain in the holy city is always a moment of joy. Many took to the streets and open courtyards to witness the showers, sharing videos and photos that quickly drew attention across the Muslim world.
Rain in the Holy City
The rainfall arrived as Saudi Arabia experiences an unusually wet October. Footage from Makkah showed steady rain soaking the streets around the Grand Mosque area, with the illuminated Makkah Clock Tower standing out against the stormy sky.
Social media users shared the scenes widely, describing the rain over the holy city as a soul-stirring sight. The videos drew thousands of views and comments within hours of being posted.
Official Warnings From NCM and Civil Defense
Alongside the beautiful scenes, Saudi authorities issued clear safety warnings. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) warned on Saturday of moderate rainfall over Makkah and the Al-Jumum governorate, accompanied by strong winds, near-zero visibility, hail, flash floods, and thunderstorms with lightning. The conditions were expected to continue until 9:00 p.m.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public to exercise caution, stay in safe places, keep away from valleys and flood-prone areas, and follow official weather updates closely.
What the Forecast Says
According to the NCM, moderate to heavy rain is forecast for the Makkah, Jazan, Asir and Al-Baha regions, with thunderstorms expected to continue across most Saudi regions through Wednesday.
The wet spell fits the NCM’s seasonal outlook issued on October 8, which said October 2026 would bring above-average rainfall across most of Saudi Arabia, with rainfall potentially “extremely heavy” in Makkah.
Authorities continue to monitor the weather and have advised residents and visitors in affected areas to stay updated through official channels.
Sources: Saudi Gazette, News of Bahrain, Ajel English.
