The Meteorology Department warns of thunderstorms and flash floods in Mecca, Hail, and Al-Baha
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a series of advanced weather alerts today for several regions, warning of thunderstorms of varying intensity that could lead to flash floods, accompanied by strong winds that will stir up dust and reduce horizontal visibility. The warnings included the regions of Makkah, Hail, and Al-Baha, with an appeal to citizens and residents to take precautions and adhere to the instructions of the relevant authorities.
Details of the expected weather conditions
In the Makkah, the center predicted thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and dust storms. The report indicated that temperatures would range between a high of 37 degrees Celsius and a low of 28 degrees Celsius, with humidity reaching up to 70%, increasing the perceived temperature. In the Hail region, the center raised its alert level to a "warning" for heavy rain, accompanied by high-speed winds, hail, flash floods, and lightning. The center noted that this weather pattern would affect open areas and highways, causing a significant decrease in horizontal visibility, and was expected to continue until 11:00 PM. In the Al-Baha region, the center warned of moderate rainfall, which could become heavy at times, in the city of Al-Baha and the governorates of Al-Qura, Al-Mandaq, Baljurashi, Bani Hassan, Al-Aqiq, and surrounding areas. This rainfall would be accompanied by high-speed winds that could lead to near-zero visibility, along with hail, flash floods, and lightning.
Climate context and the importance of warnings
These weather fluctuations are part of the seasonal changes occurring in the Arabian Peninsula, where the Kingdom is affected by low-pressure systems and humid air currents, leading to atmospheric instability, particularly in the southwestern highlands and northern regions. The National Center for Meteorology, the official body responsible for monitoring weather phenomena, works around the clock to track weather developments and issue early warnings to protect lives and property. These warnings are of paramount importance due to the geographical nature of some areas, which makes them prone to sudden and dangerous flash floods.
Expected effects and safety guidelines
These weather conditions are expected to affect daily life, potentially disrupting traffic on main and secondary roads, especially with reduced visibility and heavy rainfall. Flash floods also pose a significant risk in valleys and low-lying areas. Accordingly, the Civil Defense Directorate and relevant security agencies typically activate emergency plans and deploy their field teams to critical locations. The center emphasized the importance of everyone following its updates and periodic reports issued through its official channels, staying away from valleys and floodplains, securing loose objects on rooftops, and exercising caution while driving in adverse weather conditions.
