Significant storm heading toward Middle East amid Iran war, forecasts show


A significant storm will move through the Middle East this week, where major combat operations are taking place, with impacts expected from Israel to Qatar to Iran, forecasts show.

While storms occasionally move through this region, this storm appears to be quite anomalous, with the chances for widespread flooding rains, haboobs — or dust storms — and severe weather, including brief tornadoes. 

Firefighters work as smoke rises outside a damaged warehouse in an industrial area in Al Rayyan, Qatar, following an Iranian strike, March 1, 2026.

AP

Rain and thunderstorms will enter Israel and Lebanon during the day on Wednesday. The storms should remain fairly scattered. 

But by Thursday, the storm begins to organize as it moves across the region with significant Impacts extending from Syria and further south into the Arabian Peninsula. 

Impacts from the peak of the storm will arrive in parts of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Iran on Thursday and will last into Friday.

The main impacts will be severe thunderstorms, including the risk for tornadoes, hail and damaging winds over 60 mph. 

PHOTO: Middle East storm map

The storms will also bring flash flooding, possibly over 1 inch of rain, in some locations. That could cause urban flooding in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

Dubai typically receives 3.12 inches of rain per year, on average, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Close to an inch or more of rain would be significant.

There is the potential for higher amounts of rain in the region, which could bring isolated, significant impacts. 

A view of a residential building damaged by a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 23, 2026.

Majid Asgaripou/West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Additionally, haboobs could roll across the Arabian desert, reducing visibility and bringing along gusty winds. 

Some of these weather threats will reach into Iran, where some of the mountainous regions of the country might see some snow. 

It will take until Saturday for this entire storm to clear the region. 

Military strikes have been taking place in Iran and surrounding regions since Feb. 28, including massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military and government sites and retaliatory strikes by Iran.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Clarence B. Jones, Who Helped Shape ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech, Dies at 95

    Clarence B. Jones, a confidant, lawyer and speechwriter for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, who helped plan the March on…

    Chemical tank in Southern California no longer under threat of catastrophic explosion, officials say

    The failing chemical tank in Southern California that caused tens of thousands of people to evacuate is no longer presenting a threat of catastrophic explosion, according to officials. The temperature…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answer and Help for May 26 #814

    Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answer and Help for May 26 #814

    Most of Bungie's staff were reportedly unaware of the decision to end active development on Destiny 2 until it went public

    Most of Bungie's staff were reportedly unaware of the decision to end active development on Destiny 2 until it went public

    Australia politics live: renewables and batteries soar but ‘critical’ moment coming; WiseTech staff face AI redundancy | Australia news

    Australia politics live: renewables and batteries soar but ‘critical’ moment coming; WiseTech staff face AI redundancy | Australia news

    Caroline Mulroney says she is done with politics. For now: Stinson

    Wise Law’s Legal Headlines for the week of May 25, 2026

    Wise Law’s Legal Headlines for the week of May 25, 2026

    S&P/TSX composite closes up more than 350 points amid hopes of end to Iran war

    S&P/TSX composite closes up more than 350 points amid hopes of end to Iran war