Friday's weather in Saudi Arabia: Heavy thunderstorms and flash floods expected

The National Center for Meteorology announced its weather forecast for Friday across the Kingdom, indicating a continued chance of moderate to heavy thunderstorms in four major regions, urging caution. This forecast comes as part of ongoing monitoring of the weather system affecting parts of the Arabian Peninsula, which requires special preparedness from citizens and relevant authorities.

Friday's weather details and affected areas

According to the weather report, there is a chance of moderate to heavy thunderstorms that could lead to flash floods, accompanied by strong winds and hail. These areas include the highlands of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah. This weather pattern is part of a semi-seasonal climate pattern experienced in the southwestern highlands of the Kingdom during the spring and summer months. The high mountainous terrain contributes to lifting humid air and intensifying cumulonimbus clouds, making it a hotspot for severe weather fluctuations. While these climatic conditions are important for groundwater reserves and agriculture, they present a challenge that requires constant vigilance.

Effects of other weather phenomena

In a related context, the center warned of the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand in parts of the Tabuk and Madinah regions. The impact is also expected to reach near-zero horizontal visibility in parts of the Eastern Province, particularly its southern areas. These dust storms pose a significant challenge to travelers on highways and require special attention from those with respiratory illnesses and allergies, who are advised to remain indoors as much as possible. Relevant authorities, such as the General Directorate of Civil Defense, continuously emphasize the need to follow weather warnings and stay away from valleys and floodplains during rainfall, as flash floods pose a significant risk to lives and property.

Red Sea situation

• Surface winds: Northwesterly to northerly at a speed of 15-34 km/h on the northern and central parts and westerly to northwesterly at a speed of 10-23 km/h on the southern part.
• Wave height: from half a meter to one and a half meters on the northern and central parts, and from half a meter to one meter on the southern part.
• Sea state: Light to moderate waves in the northern and central parts, and light waves in the southern part.

Arabian Gulf situation

• Surface winds: Northwesterly to northerly at a speed of 15-32 km/h in the northern part and at a speed of 20-40 km/h in the central and southern parts.
• Wave height: from half a meter to one and a half meters on the northern part and from one meter to two meters on the central and southern parts.
• Sea state: Light to moderate waves.