Red alert in Riyadh and the Eastern Province: Heavy rain and flash floods expected until morning

The National Center for Meteorology issued an advanced red alert, warning of unstable weather conditions directly affecting large parts of the Riyadh and Eastern Provinces. This warning comes as part of the ongoing monitoring of weather and atmospheric fluctuations affecting the Kingdom during this period.

Weather details in Riyadh

The weather report indicated that the capital, Riyadh, and its surrounding governorates are experiencing heavy rainfall that will continue until 3:00 AM on Tuesday. The red alert covers the following areas: Diriyah, Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Al-Dilam, Al-Muzahmiyah, Hawtat Bani Tamim, and Al-Hariq . The center noted that this rainy weather is accompanied by severe weather phenomena, including:

• High-speed winds may cause trees or unsecured billboards to fall.
• There is an almost complete lack of horizontal visibility, which necessitates extreme caution while driving on highways.
• Hail fell heavily in some areas.
• Flash floods are flowing in valleys and ravines, amid warnings against the risk of crossing flood channels.
• Strong thunderstorms and dense fog will follow the rainfall.

Rainfall conditions in the Eastern Province

Simultaneously with the situation in Riyadh, the National Center for Meteorology warned of continued moderate to heavy rainfall in the Eastern Province until the early hours of Tuesday morning. The affected cities and governorates include: Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Jubail, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Khafji, Nairyah, Qaryat Al-Ulya, Al-Ahsa, Al-Udayd, Abqaiq, and Hafr Al-Batin . This rainfall will be accompanied by strong winds causing dust storms, flash floods in low-lying areas, and high waves along the coast.

Red alert indicators and the importance of adhering to instructions

The “red alert” is the highest level of warning in the National Center for Meteorology’s automated early warning system, indicating severe weather conditions that require extreme caution. These warnings are particularly important given the terrain in some Riyadh and Eastern Provinces, where heavy rainfall can cause flash floods.

In a related context, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged everyone to exercise caution, stay away from areas where water accumulates, valleys, and dams, refrain from swimming in them, and adhere to instructions issued through official media outlets and social media platforms. These weather fluctuations are part of the current season's climatic characteristics, as the Kingdom's atmosphere is affected by low-pressure systems that contribute to winter rainfall, promising a bountiful spring season. However, this necessitates public awareness to deal with the risks of flash floods associated with these conditions.