Red alert details and today's weather forecast
In an urgent and important weather update, the National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a high-risk warning, classified as a "red alert," cautioning citizens and residents of heavy rainfall accompanied by severe weather phenomena across large parts of six major regions in the Kingdom on Thursday. These warnings are part of the authorities' commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property and activating proactive emergency plans.
According to the official statement issued by the center, these severe weather fluctuations began between 1:00 and 2:00 AM in several locations and are expected to peak by 5:00 PM today. The effects of this weather system include high-speed winds leading to near-zero horizontal visibility, heavy hail, flash floods in valleys and ravines, a significant rise in waves along the coast, and successive thunderstorms.
Regions and governorates covered by the warning
The National Center of Meteorology's report included a detailed breakdown of the areas affected by the red alert, which are as follows:
- The Eastern Province: includes the cities and governorates of Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Ras Tanura, Hafr Al-Batin, Khafji, Nairyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya.
- Makkah Region: Al-Khurmah, Al-Muwayh, Turabah, Ranyah, Adham, Maysan, and Taif are all affected.
- Riyadh region: includes Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Al-Majma’ah, Shaqra, Al-Rayn, Al-Quway’iyah, Al-Dawadmi, and Afif, in addition to Thadiq, Huraymila, Rumah, Dhurma, and Marat.
- Al-Qassim region: Al-Asyah, Al-Badai’, Al-Bukayriyah, Al-Thamiriya, Al-Shamasiya, Al-Ammar, Al-Mudhnib, Buraydah, Unayzah, Uyun Al-Jawa, Aban, Al-Khabra, Ar-Rass, Al-Fawarah, An-Nabhaniah, Riyadh Al-Khabra, Dhariyah, and Uqlat As-Suqur.
- Asir region: Al Namas, Balqarn, and Tanomah.
- Al-Baha region: Al-Aqiq, Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Al-Baha, Baljurashi, and Bani Hassan.
General context and climatic background in the Kingdom
Historically, Saudi Arabia experiences sharp weather fluctuations, known as atmospheric instability, during seasonal transitions. These fluctuations result from the convergence of cold air masses in the upper atmosphere with the extension of moist surface low-pressure systems originating from the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has developed the National Center for Meteorology's early warning system, one of the most advanced regional systems, to mitigate the risks posed by natural disasters and flash floods, which have historically impacted infrastructure.
The importance of the event and its expected effects
Locally a full mobilization of government agencies, particularly the General Directorate of Civil Defense and traffic departments. Strong winds and poor visibility require extreme caution from drivers on highways to avoid traffic accidents. Educational institutions often suspend in-person classes in such conditions to ensure student safety.
On the environmental and economic front , these rains have a significant positive impact; they directly contribute to enhancing the Kingdom's water security by replenishing strategic dams, raising groundwater levels, and supporting the agricultural sector. These rains also positively affect vegetation cover, thus supporting the objectives of the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which aims to combat desertification and improve the quality of life.
The competent authorities urge all citizens and residents to adhere to official instructions, stay away from valleys and flood channels, and avoid being in open areas during thunderstorms, to ensure that this weather condition is overcome safely and securely.
