The National Center for Meteorology issued an advanced warning today regarding the expected weather conditions in parts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicating the continued chances of thunderstorms accompanied by surface wind activity and reduced horizontal visibility in the Al-Baha and Makkah regions.
Weather details for the Al-Baha region
The center explained in its daily report that the Al-Baha region is experiencing unstable weather conditions, characterized by moderate to heavy rainfall. This includes Al-Baha city itself, as well as several governorates and affiliated centers, namely: Baljurashi, Al-Aqiq, Al-Qura, Bani Hassan, Al-Mandaq, Al-Makhwah, Qalwah, Al-Hajrah, and Ghamid Al-Zanad, and the areas surrounding these regions. The report indicated that this weather pattern will continue, God willing, until 8:00 PM today, necessitating caution while driving on mountain roads and slopes.
Rainfall conditions in Al-Ardiyat Governorate, Makkah Al-Mukarramah
In a related development, the National Center for Meteorology warned of similar rainfall in Al-Ardiyat Governorate, part of the Makkah Region. This rainfall will be accompanied by strong surface winds that will stir up dust and sand, leading to near-zero visibility in some areas, as well as thunderstorms. The center also indicated that this weather system is expected to end at 8:00 PM.
The importance of warnings and public safety guidelines
These warnings are of utmost importance due to the rugged terrain of the Al-Baha region and parts of Makkah, which lie within the Sarawat Mountains, characterized by their harsh landscape and steep slopes. Heavy rainfall often causes flash floods in valleys and ravines, posing a significant risk to hikers and those using agricultural roads.
In such weather conditions, the General Directorate of Civil Defense constantly calls on citizens and residents to exercise caution and vigilance, stay away from flood channels and valleys, not risk crossing valleys while they are flowing, and adhere to safety instructions announced through various media outlets and social media applications to ensure the safety of lives and property.
The climatic and geographical context of the region
The Al-Baha region and the southern governorates of the Makkah region enjoy a unique climate within the Kingdom, influenced by low-pressure systems and humid air currents originating from the Red Sea, particularly during the transitional seasons and winter. These seasonal rains significantly contribute to irrigating the agricultural terraces for which the region is renowned and replenish water reserves. However, they also necessitate close monitoring by relevant authorities to manage potential risks arising from flash floods and rockslides on mountain roads.
