Is it raining now in Al Bahah?
Sunny
5 JulNo upcoming precipitation for the next hour.
Last update: 10:00, 5 Jul 2026
Free to download * Essential from $0.83 * Prices vary by region and promotions.
- App Only
Track up to 20 locations
Home, office, kids' school - all at once, no switching tabs.
- App Only
Alerts for each of them
Get notified 15 minutes before rain - while you can still change your plans.
- App Only
Widgets on your home screen
Live radar without opening the app - on your lock screen or home screen.
Rain in Al Bahah: What You Need to Know
Al Bahah is Saudi Arabia's highest inhabited city, sitting at 2,000–2,450 m elevation in the Sarawat escarpment, and receives 229–581 mm annual rainfall—nearly 10 times the Riyadh average. Rainfall concentrates in two windows: cool-season fronts (October–March) and a summer monsoon fringe (August, averaging 150 mm). The Raghadan Forest, covering 90% juniper canopy, intercepts orographic moisture and cloud-fog year-round, extending soil-water availability and creating conditions where snow is possible above 2,300 m in winter. The Al Bahah rain radar is essential because a single October–November front can dump 100+ mm over the highlands while the coastal plain 50 km away remains dry, and because terraced agriculture depends on precisely timed rainfall and the honey-harvest season (August–October) is entirely rainfall-dependent.
The geographic mechanism that makes Al Bahah distinctive is extreme orographic forcing. Mediterranean frontal systems and residual monsoon moisture interact with the Sarawat escarpment's steep elevation gradient, generating intense lifting and prolonged precipitation. Temperature moderation (7–32°C range) and cloud-fog persistence (November–March) suppress evaporation, extending moist conditions. The juniper forest amplifies this: canopy interception and litter retention keep soil moisture high between rainfall events, creating a microclimate far wetter than surrounding arid regions. This variation means a single weather event delivers vastly different rain across Al Bahah's terrain, making a hyperlocal radar critical.
RainViewer aggregates radar data from Saudi Arabia's regional meteorological networks, updated every 5 minutes. The live rain map for Al Bahah shows whether an October–November front is concentrating over Raghadan Forest (affecting honey harvest and agriculture) or over Fayfa foothills (creating landslide and flash-flood risk in tributary wadis), revealing intensity and timing that a forecast cannot predict.
Rain by Season in Al Bahah
Cool-season fronts (October–March)
Mediterranean frontal systems reach Al Bahah during October–March, with November–January delivering the highest rainfall probability and intensity (peak November frost-cycle rainfall averages 50–80 mm). Cloud cover and fog are persistent, reducing visibility on mountain-pass roads (Route 40, Route 50) and creating landslide risk on steep terraced hillsides saturated by continuous light rain. This is the year's most operationally disruptive period: tourism peaks in this mild season, yet road hazards increase. Honey-harvest preparation begins, tying to unpredictable November–January rainfall that affects juniper bloom and bee forage.
Summer monsoon fringe and transition (August and April–May)
August delivers 150 mm monsoon-influenced moisture as tropical fringe convection. This brief, intense peak triggers both abundance (honey-harvest forage, green canopy tourism appeal) and risk (flash floods in Wadi Baysh tributaries, landslide saturation on steep grades). April–May see sporadic spring frontal decline; June–July are extremely dry and hot.
Dry season (June–July and December in shallow valleys)
June–July dry season (though not zero-rainfall months like lower elevations) is the year's hottest and driest. December dips briefly in some lowland zones but remains wet on the escarpment. This sharp contrast—wet highlands, dry surrounding plains—creates the geographic uniqueness that makes Al Bahah unpredictable.
Why You Need a Rain Radar in Al Bahah
Raghadan Forest Tourism and Honey Harvest
Raghadan Forest (1,700 m elevation, 90% juniper cover) attracts 75%+ of Al Bahah Province visitor traffic, concentrated August–October during honey harvest season when mild weather and rain-green canopy draw tourists. A live radar showing the August monsoon cell approaching the forest from the Red Sea means the forest will receive 50–100 mm in 24 hours, guaranteeing dense cloud cover and lush conditions. August rains also trigger juniper bloom and bee-forage availability, enabling honey producers to maximize August–September collection. Timing hikes, farm visits, and harvest work around approaching cells improves safety and productivity.
Terraced Orchards and Hillside Agriculture
Al Bahah's terraced orchards (almonds, citrus, honey production) depend on precise November–January rainfall windows and August monsoon contribution. A 30 mm October–November front saturates steep terraces and risks landslides; farmers use live radar to assess whether an approaching front will deliver gentle, prolonged rain (ideal for infiltration) or a heavy 50+ mm burst (risk of runoff and erosion). Timing harvest and planting around incoming cells enables better yields and reduces damage.
Mountain Pass Road Operations (Route 40, Route 50)
Route 40 and Route 50 connect Al Bahah to Makkah and Aseer, crossing mountain passes where November–January fronts reduce visibility to 100–200 m with fog and cloud. Fresh rainfall creates temporary flooding at low points and landslide debris risk on steep grades. Drivers and transport dispatch use live radar to determine safe travel windows—a front clearing in 45 minutes may allow a convoy departure; one intensifying means waiting several hours.
Flash-Flood Risk in Wadi Baysh Tributaries
Wadi Baysh and tributaries (Abu Arish valley runoff from Fayfa foothills) concentrate runoff from Al Bahah's 229–581 mm northern zones. An August monsoon cell dumping 100 mm over Fayfa generates rapid wadi rise in Abu Arish, creating flash-flood hazards downstream. Live radar allows residents and emergency managers to assess wadi-crossing safety and issue evacuation alerts before heavy runoff arrives.
Landslide Risk on Terraced Hillsides
Steep Sarawat escarpment terraces become saturated during November–January wet-season peaks and August monsoon events. Moderate landslide risk (though undocumented with specifics) increases during and immediately after prolonged rainfall. Authorities and residents use live radar to identify saturation timing and coordinate terrain inspections, equipment staging, and access-road monitoring.
Al Bahah Domestic Airport Operations
Al Bahah Domestic Airport (ABT) operates at elevation in the fog and cloud zone. October–March cloud reduces visibility; November–January fronts affect runway operations. A live radar showing a front clearing in 20 minutes enables flight resumption; one stalling means extended closures.
RainViewer Radar Coverage in Al Bahah
RainViewer aggregates radar data for Saudi Arabia from regional meteorological networks, updated every 5 minutes. Coverage focuses on the populated Hejaz corridor (Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah), the Najd plateau (Riyadh and central oasis cities), and the Eastern Province Gulf coast (Dammam, Al Khobar, Al Jubail). Coverage in remote interior desert and southern highlands varies. From Al Bahah, the radar displays the full Sarawat escarpment highlands, Raghadan Forest, Fayfa foothills to the southeast, Wadi Baysh drainage, and mountain passes to Makkah and Aseer.
Al Bahah Rain Radar: Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it raining in Al Bahah right now?
Only a live hyperlocal radar can answer this accurately because Al Bahah's elevation and orographic forcing create cell-scale variability—a forecast says "likely rain" but a live radar shows whether the November front is overhead at Raghadan Forest, approaching from the Red Sea, or already clearing toward Fayfa foothills. Rain changes minute to minute across the escarpment. RainViewer's 5-minute updates track the front's intensity and position in real time.
- Should I hike Raghadan Forest or visit Al Bahah during August monsoon and October–March?
August and October–January are optimal—mild weather and abundant rainfall create green, lush forest conditions. But check the live radar before departing. An August monsoon cell can deliver 100 mm in 24 hours, flooding trails and making hiking hazardous. An October–January front clearing in 30 minutes allows a safe afternoon hike; one intensifying means waiting a day. Live radar shows whether you have a safe window or should reschedule.
- Does rain affect Route 40 or Route 50 mountain passes in Al Bahah?
Yes, absolutely. November–January fronts create fog (reducing visibility to 100–200 m), fresh landslide debris, and temporary flooding at low points. A live radar showing a front clearing in 45 minutes means safe travel soon; one stalling overhead means extended delays (4–6 hours) and hazardous conditions. Use live radar to time convoy departures and plan rest stops around incoming fronts.
- Which parts of Al Bahah or nearby wadis flood during heavy rain?
Wadi Baysh and tributaries (Abu Arish valley especially) concentrate runoff from Al Bahah's 229–581 mm northern highlands. An August monsoon cell or November–January front dumping 80+ mm over Fayfa and upper Al Bahah creates flash-flood risk in Abu Arish within 30 minutes. Avoid driving through wadi crossings or camping in drainage zones during active rain visible on live radar. Landslide risk also increases on Sarawat terraces during and 12 hours after heavy rainfall saturation.
- When is the best time to visit Al Bahah and Raghadan Forest?
August–October offer mild weather, monsoon-green forest (August rains peak at 150 mm), and peak honey harvest activities—ideal for tourism. November–February are also excellent (mild, no extreme heat), but fog and frontals increase on some days; check live radar before planning mountain-pass drives. March–July are extremely hot and dry; avoid unless you prefer sparse tourism and risk sunburn.
- Why does it rain heavily in Raghadan Forest but stay dry in lower Aseer or Hejaz regions?
Al Bahah's elevation (2,000–2,450 m) sits at the Sarawat escarpment edge where Mediterranean frontal systems and monsoon moisture are forced sharply upward. Orographic lifting doubles or triples rainfall compared to surrounding low-elevation regions. A November front dropping 80 mm on Raghadan Forest delivers only 20 mm to coastal plains 50 km away. This elevation-driven variability is extreme and non-obvious to visitors; a live hyperlocal radar reveals the cell concentrating over your location versus drifting inland.
- How often does the Al Bahah rain radar update?
Saudi Arabia's regional meteorological networks provide updates every 5 minutes. For Al Bahah, where November–January fronts can last 6–12 hours and August monsoon cells are fast-moving, 5-minute frequency captures the cell's intensity, duration, and clearing much better than a forecast. This precision is critical for terraced farmers timing infiltration windows and tourists planning safe hiking hours.
- Can I get a rain alert before a November–January front or August monsoon cell hits Al Bahah?
Yes. RainViewer's radar alerts notify you when precipitation approaches within 30–60 minutes. Set an alert at Raghadan Forest, a terraced orchard zone, or a mountain-pass location and receive a notification when a November front is 20 minutes away—enabling farmers to activate drainage, close beehives, or pause harvest work. A Route 40 driver gets an alert when a front is approaching the pass, allowing safe-travel or delay decisions.
Track Rain in Al Bahah in Real Time
Visitors to Raghadan Forest, terraced farmers, and mountain-pass drivers in Al Bahah operate in an environment where an October–November front can dump 80 mm over the highlands in 6 hours—and a forecast cannot tell you whether that front is 30 minutes away or still 60 km over the Red Sea.
Winter fronts and monsoon cells in Al Bahah concentrate rainfall at steep escarpment zones through orographic forcing, delivering extreme intensity variation across short distances, and a standard weather app updates only once or twice daily.
A forecast says "probable rain in Al Bahah tomorrow." RainViewer shows a November front is currently over the Red Sea and moving toward Raghadan Forest with 60+ mm expected in 3 hours—that's the decision a farmer, forest tourist, and Route 40 driver make in Al Bahah every November.
Track rain in Al Bahah — free Upgrade to Essential for alerts, forecasts, and full radar history
2-hour forecast in 5-minute slices—watch a November front move across Raghadan Forest and judge whether a honey-harvest or farming work window is closing in 20 minutes or still safe for 2 hours
Rain alerts before arrival—set an alert at Raghadan Forest, a terraced orchard, or Route 40 mountain pass and receive a notification 30 minutes before the front arrives
Direction arrows on the map—see whether a November front is moving inland from the Red Sea toward Raghadan Forest or tracking northeast toward Fayfa foothills and Abu Arish wadi
48 hours of radar history—review how much rain fell on Raghadan Forest during yesterday's November front (may have been 50–80 mm) versus lower-elevation regions (may have been 15 mm) and understand the orographic concentration
Multiple locations—track rain simultaneously at Raghadan Forest, Fayfa foothills, Wadi Baysh drainage, Al Bahah city, and mountain-pass road locations
RainViewer
