Rainy conditions persist, and the National Center for Meteorology issues warnings
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia has announced its forecast of continued heavy rainfall of varying intensity across most regions of the Kingdom until next Tuesday. This forecast comes amidst ongoing weather fluctuations in the region, necessitating extreme caution from citizens and residents. The Center has explicitly warned of the potential for flash floods in valleys and ravines due to this unstable weather, requiring a high level of public awareness.
Areas covered by the forecast and the amount of rainfall
In detailing the weather situation, the official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology, Hussein Al-Qahtani, explained that the rainfall map covers wide and vital areas, most notably the Riyadh, Asir, Jazan, Najran, and Al-Baha regions, with its effects extending to the highlands of the Makkah region. Climate data indicates that this rainfall will range from moderate to heavy and may be accompanied by significant surface wind activity that could affect horizontal visibility, in addition to flash floods in valleys and ravines.
Regarding the rainfall figures recorded over the past 24 hours, Al-Qahtani revealed a significant variation in rainfall rates. The Asir region, specifically Abha province, topped the list with the highest amount at 65.6 mm, reflecting the intense rainfall there. The Riyadh region came in second, with the King Khalid Reserve recording 42.2 mm, while the city of Dammam in the Eastern Province, specifically the Al-Qadisiyah neighborhood, recorded 20.6 mm.
Climate context and environmental and economic impacts
Historically, Saudi Arabia is known for its arid desert climate for most of the year, although transitional periods and winter typically see periods of atmospheric instability. In recent years, meteorologists and climatologists have observed an increase in the frequency and intensity of these rainfall events, which is scientifically attributed to global climate change that has begun to clearly affect weather patterns in the Arabian Peninsula.
Heavy rainfall in Saudi Arabia is of paramount importance and has multifaceted positive impacts if managed carefully. Locally, this rainfall contributes to replenishing the strategic groundwater reserves and raising water levels in dams across the Kingdom. This directly supports the agricultural sector and contributes to the flourishing of vegetation, transforming vast areas of desert into green oases. This, in turn, positively impacts domestic tourism and the local environment, aligning with national afforestation initiatives.
On a regional level, the succession of these rainy events reinforces the importance of joint climate studies among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to understand the shifts in the paths of low-pressure systems, and to develop infrastructure and flood drainage networks to be more resilient in the face of future climate changes.
Safety guidelines and preventive measures
In light of these developments, the regulatory bodies and relevant authorities, most notably the General Directorate of Civil Defense, emphasized the need for strict adherence to instructions. The National Center of Meteorology called on all citizens and residents to closely monitor periodic reports, avoid valleys and flood channels, and exercise caution while driving, especially those using highways and residents of low-lying areas that may be directly affected by this weather system, in order to ensure public safety for all.
