The National Center for Meteorology issued a detailed report on weather conditions for Wednesday, warning residents and visitors of the Makkah region of unstable weather including light rain accompanied by surface wind activity. This report is part of the ongoing monitoring of weather conditions to ensure the safety of citizens and residents and to urge caution while traveling.
Areas covered and timing of the weather event
The center explained that the weather conditions will begin at noon and continue until 8:00 PM. The alerts cover several governorates and districts within the Makkah region, namely: Al-Lith, Adham, Maysan, Taif, Al-Ardiyat, and Al-Qunfudhah. The report indicated that these rains will be accompanied by reduced horizontal visibility, in addition to the possibility of thunderstorms, necessitating caution, especially for those traveling on highways and in elevated areas.
The geographical and climatic context of the Makkah region
The Makkah region is characterized by a unique topographical diversity that directly influences weather patterns . While governorates like Al-Lith and Al-Qunfudhah extend along the Red Sea coastal plain (Tihama), others such as Taif, Maysan, and Adham lie on the peaks and foothills of the Sarawat Mountains. This geographical variation makes the region prone to sudden cumulonimbus cloud formations, particularly during the afternoon and evening. Moist air currents from the sea contribute to cloud condensation as they collide with the mountains, resulting in light to moderate rainfall.
The importance of warnings and safety measures
These warnings are of utmost importance given the heavy traffic on the roads connecting these governorates, particularly the coastal road and the Al-Hada and Al-Shafa roads. Authorities consistently urge drivers to avoid valleys and floodplains in such weather conditions and to reduce their speed due to potential skidding or reduced visibility caused by fog or dust.
Weather forecast for the rest of the Kingdom
the National Center for Meteorology reported that the chance of thunderstorms and rain, accompanied by active winds, remains high in other parts of the Kingdom, including the Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha regions, as well as parts of Madinah. The center also warned of the possibility of dense fog forming during the early morning and late night hours in parts of the highlands in these regions, as well as in parts of the Eastern Province, the Northern Borders region, Hail, Al-Jawf, and Tabuk, which could affect land navigation.
