Abdul Fatah Atta, director general of Madinah's Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Airport, told Arab News air traffic at the airport stopped from about 4 a.m. due to bad weather and poor visibility. As of 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the airport was still closed. The storm's trajectory suggested it would pass over portions of Makkah province.

Security and first-aid departments in Madinah intensified their efforts to provide necessary services to the public affected by the bad weather.

Some drivers were seen halting their vehicles along the roads fearing accidents while others remained in their homes.

Traffic and security police sources told Arab News that no major accidents had been reported due to the sandstorm. The sandstorm which had also hit neighboring Hail province, was heading toward the Makkah province.

Health authorities in Madinah have deployed more doctors and increased beds at hospitals to treat patients suffering from diseases, especially asthma.

The Haj Ministry officials said they were conducting field inspections to make sure all pilgrims whose flights have been canceled due to bad weather got accommodation.

This storm comes after Riyadh and much of the country's eastern region experienced a massive sandstorm that began around 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Kingdom's capital. Two other massive sandstorms have been recorded during this season. Saudi Arabia, as well as other arid countries in the region, typically experience sandstorms as temperatures begin their seasonal rises or drops.